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empreinte. 

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INCIDENTS  AND  EVENTS 


IN  TUB  LIFB  or 


GURDOIT  SALTOi^STALL  HUBBAPvD. 


OOL.ECTKI,  raOM  PKRSONAL  NARRATIONS   AND  OTH-R  SOCROK.. 
AND  ARRANOEl)  BY  HIS  NEPHEW, 


Henry   E.    Hamilto 


X. 


1888. 


Printers,  Engravers  and  Electrotypers, 
Chicago. 


1 1 


CONTENTS. 


Cliildhood, 

Engagement  with  Aiiioricim  Fur  Coniimny, 

Mackinaw, 

^Farqiictte  Cross.     . 

Cliicago  and  Port  Dearborn, 

Mud  Liilie,  Isle  La  Cache  and  Starved  Uociv, 

Fori  (;iar]<,  and  P^ncounterwith  an  Indian, 

St.  Louis, 

Slianb-e-nee,  Wa-ba  and  Che-mo-comon-ess, 

Tippecanoe  Battleground, 

The  Feast  of  the  Dead, 

Musltcgon  Lalve  and  a  Montli  of  Solitude, 

Lost  in  a  Snow  Storm, 

Death  of  Dufrain, 

Kalamazoo  Jliver  and  Cosa, 

Wolf  Stories, 

Attacked  by  an  Indian, 

Alexis  St.  Martin, 

-  -  » 

Slee[)ing  Bear, 

Pa-pa-ma-ta-be, 

From  the  St.  Joseph  to  the  Kankakee, 

Hubbard's  Trail, 

Under  the  Ice, 

Trouble  with  Yellow  Head, 

Winnebago  Scare, 

In  the  Ohio  River,  and  Letter  of  Dr.  Fithian, 

Ka-ne-kuck, 

Address  of  Hon.  Grant  Goodricli, 

Memorial, 


FAOI 
5 

10 

.   16 
81 
81 
89 
4S 
46 
49 
57 
60 
76 
87 
95 
90 

lOfi 

113 

117 

130 

125 

120 

137 

138 

146 

148 

101 

1«4 

171 


^ 


T..K  following  !„,«es  are  partly  aHt«l,iosmphi,.aI  .nfl 
partly  ..ompile,,  from  the  narrations  of  Mr    H  ^     / 

:r :;  ;:;rrr;r  "r~ -^^ 

n'.in>  lieiUs  through  which  he  passeil  an,l  H,.        ■ 
l«.«lrfup.  which  he  endured.  ™"""' 

That  these  event,  occurred  where  g..at    centres  of 

Zl  "»'''  ''-«''  -"  <'".-g  the  lifetime  of  one 

man,  seems  stranger  than  fiction. 


SKETCH    Ol''    LIFE. 


OIlII.I)l„M,l)-Km.A(IEMKNT    WITH     AMEIilCAN     ITU     CO  _ 

MACKINAW. 

I  was  ham   in  WiiKlMor    V'Mi-tiwwif     i ..       ... 

vYiim.sdi.    >eMliollt,   AllKiist  22,  1802. 

My  father  was  Ehzui-  Kul.bai'd,  the  son  of  (George  Hub 
l.aRl    an    „fH,  .-,■    in  the   .var  of    the  Revolution,    an,l 
IhankMil    lat,.h.     My  n.othei- wa.s  Abigal  .Sa«e,  da„shf«r 
«(  (feneral  C„n,f,.rt  Sage  anil  Sai'an  Hamlin,  „f  Mi.l.He 
town,  Connectiout. 

My  fir,t  fecoUeotion  ot  event.,  wa«  the  great  «.'ip.,e  of 
the  8nn  about  the  year  1800,  while  walking  witli  mv 
...other  in  the  garden.  The  imp,-e.ssion  „,nde  upon  „,y 
m>nd  by  l,e  strange  and  unnatural  appeunmce  of  thin,.s 
has  la.sted  to  the  present  time.  Tlie  whit«  sti«e  horses 
hat  were  passing,  to  my  vision  .appeared  yellow,  and 
looking  „p  to  my  n.other  I  discovered  that  her  face  also 
appeared  yellow,  as  did  all  the  su.-roundings.  I  was  so 
tr.ghte„ed  I  did  not  recover  (rou.  it  lor  some  ti.ue 

I  cannot  remen.ber  at  what  age  I  oomn,«nc«d  goin-  to 
^^ho...  but  the  fact  of  a  dislike  for  books,  from  t^at  tim! 

>  to  the  age  of  thirteen,  I  do  not  forget.  I  was  always 
pleading  ,«  be  excused,  and  my  indulgent  mother  too 
often  gi.,anted  my  reque.<  I  was  often  truant  and  escaped 
punishment.  ^ 

.n'^f>f -'T  ""'   '"'  '""''"''^^'  ''  ^^^^>'-'  ^"^  1-ving 
enteied  into  some  speculations  about  the  year  1810  in 

(5) 


!i 


6 

the  fall  of  1812  he  lost  his  property,  and  my  Aunt 
Saltonstall  invited  me  to  her  house,  and  influenced  her 
son-in-law,  the  Rev.  Daniel  Huntington,  to  take  me  and 
a  boy  of  about  my  age  to  educate. 

Accordingly,  in  November  of  that  year,  I  went  to 
Bridgewater,  Massachusetts,  and  entered  upon  a  course 
of  studies,  living  in  Mr.  Huntington's  family,  where  my 
aunt  also  resided, 

I  was  very  deficient  in  my  education,  but  the  winter 
passed  pleasantly  and  I  made  fair  progress  in  my  studies. 
My  father's  misfortunes  continued,  and  he  became 
V  ery  poor,  which  I  felt  so  keenly  as  to  make  me  miserable 
und  discontented.  I  constantly  pleaded  to  be  permitted 
to  return  home,  and  when,  in  the  following  winter  I 
learned  that  my  father  had  fallen  into  still  deeper  trouble 
and  had  determined  to  go  to  Montreal,  there  to  practice 
his  profession,  I  was  inconsolable  ;  and  as  I  had  lost  all 
interest  in  my  studies,  I  was  promised  that  I  should  re- 
turn home  in  the  spring. 

In  the  middle  of  the  month  of  April  following  I  started 
for  my  home,  and  a  few  days'  travel  by  coach  brougnt  me 
to  my  parents,  and  about  the  first  of  May,  1815,  they 
with  their    six   children,    of    whom  I  was  the  eldest,' 
started  for  Canada,     On  reaching  Montreal,  my  father 
learned  that  he  could  not  be  admitted  to  practice,  as  he 
was  an   American   citizen,    and   by   a  new  law  of  the 
Dominion  a  residence  of  five  years  would  be  required 
before  he  could  be  allowed  to  practice  his  profession. 
He,  however,  took  a  house  and  kept  boarders,  by  which, 
with  the  fees  he  earned  as  consulting  attorney,  he  re- 
ceived enough  to  barely  support  his  family,  never  having 
a  cent  to  spare  beyond  their  necessary  wants. 


My  first  winter  there  I  employed  in  small  traffic,  buy- 
ing from  Vermont  farmers  the  remnants  of  their  loads  of 
poultry,  butter,  cheese,  etc.,  and  peddling  them,  from 
which  I  realized  from  eighty  to  one  hundred  dollars,  all 
of  which  went  into  the  family  treasury.  The  capital 
with  which  I  embarked  in  this  enterprise  was  twenty-f^ve 
cents,  and  was  kindly  loaned  me  by  Horatio  Gates. 

In  the  month  of  April,  1816,  my  father  procured  for 
me  a  situation  in  the  hardware  store  of  John  Frothing- 
ham,  where  I  received  for  my  services  my  board  only.     I 
was  the  boy  of  the  store— slept  on  the  counter,  worked 
hard,  and  attended  faithfully  to  my  duties,  and  thus  won 
the  good  will  of  all  the  clerks.     I  had  but  one  intimate 
friend  outside  of  the  store,  named  John  Dyde,  whom  I 
occasionally  visited  evenings.     His  father  kept  a  board- 
ing-house, where  Mr.  William  Matthews,   agent  of  the 
American  Fur  Company,  boarded. 

Mr.  John  Jacob  Astor  about  this  time  instructed  Mr. 
Matthews  to  engage  twelve  young  men  as  clerks,  and  one 
hundred  Canadian  voyagers,  and  to  purchase  a  quantity 
of  goods  for  the  Indian  trade,  to  be  transferred  in  hatteaux 
manned  by  these  voyagers,  and  to  report  therewith  to 
Ramsey  Crooks,  manager  at  Mackinaw,  Michigan.     This 
expedition  was  to  leave  Montreal  early  in  May,  1818,  and 
to  proceed  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  its  place  of  destination. 
Visiting  my  friend  Dyde  one  evening,  he  told  me  of 
this,  and  that  he  was  trying  to  prevail  upon  hvs  father 
and  mother  to  procure  for  him  an  engagement  with  the  . 
Fur  Company  as  one  of  the  twelve  clerks.      He  being 
then  but  eighteen  years  old,  his  parents  opposed  it  on 
account    of   his    -outh,   and   Mr.  Matthews    also   dis- 
couraged the  idea ;    yet  he  continued  his  efforts,  and 


!i 


8 

finnlly  obtained  thdr  consent,  and  informed  me  of  his 
good  fortune. 

^  The  expedition  was  the  subject  of  frequent  conversa- 
tions between  iis,  and  I  also  became  desirous  of  being  em- 
ployed ;  my  disposition  to  go  increased  each  time  we  met 
and  I  finally  ventured  to  mention  the  subject  to  my  father 
and  mother,  but  they  only  laughed  at  the  idea,  sayinc 
Mr  Matthews  would  not  engage  John,  as  he  wanted  men 
and  not  boys  ;  that  John  was  not  eighteen  and  I  not  six- 
teen. And  though  I  was  thus  put  off,  I  was  not  wholly 
discouraged. 

Time  passed  on  and  April  was  near  at  hand  One 
morning  John  came  into  the  store,  his  countenance 
beaming  with  joy,  and  announced  that  Mr.  Ma.fchews 
had  promised  to  take  him.  "Oh!"  said  he,  -I  wish 
you  could  go  with  me,  but  it  is  of  no  use  to  try.  It  was 
hard  work  to  induce  Mr.  Matthews  to  take  me,  because  I 
was  not  old  enough,  and  besides  I  am  the  twelfth,  and 
the  youngest  by  four  years.  I  am  to  get  one  hundred 
dollars  advanced  to  purchase  my  outfit."  I  don't  know 
what  induced  me  to  make  any  further  effort,  but  I  still 
felt  there  was  a  chance. 

I  could  not  help  crying,  and  when  West,  the  oldest 
clerk,  inquired  the  cause,  I  told  him.  "  Why,  Gurdon," 
he  said,  "you  don't  want  to  go  among  the  Indians. 
You  could  not  endure  the  hardships.  What  a  fool  you 
are  to  think  of  it.  Don't  give  it  another  thought.  We 
all  like  you  here.  Stick  l)y  us.  and  rise  as  you  will  be 
sure  to.  Mr.  Frotliingham  has  not  a  word  to  say  against 
you.  He  knows  you  have  done  your  duty,  and  in  time 
will  advance  you.  So  give  up  the  idea." 
Just  then  Mr.  Frotliingham  came  in,  and,  noticing  me, 


9 

asked  wliat  was  the  matter.     I  did  not  reply,  but  cried 
AVhen  West  told  him,  he  said  I  had  a  foolish  notion 

I  requested  leave  of  absence  for  the  day  and  night  to 
go  home  (my  father  then  living  at  the  foot  of  the 
mountain ),  which  he  granted.  I  was  not  long  in  reach- 
ing home,  tliough  it  was  about  three  miles. 

My  father  was  not  at  home  when  I  arrived,  but  I  told 
my  story  to  mother,  and  I  thought  she  was  not  as  strong 
m  her  opposition  as    formerly.     When  father  came  I 
broached  the  subject  to  him,  and  he  said  I  was  crazy.     I 
said,   "Crazy  or  not,  I  want  to  go,  and  will  if  Mr  Mat- 
thews will  take  me,"  for  which  speech  I  received  a  rep- 
rimand.    This,  however,  did  not  deter  me.     I  kept  on 
teasing  for  his  permission  until  he  finally  said,   "If  your 
mother  is  willing,  you  can  go  and  see  Mr.  Matthews  " 
She  put  me  off  until  morning. 

I  suppose  they  had  a  consultation.  Indeed,  I  know 
that  they  concluded  that  Mr.  Matthews  would  reject  me 
rhey  both  knew  him,  and  had  both  been  to  his  office  that 
day,  where  my  father  was  employed  in  writing  articles 
of  agreement  for  the  voyagers  to  sign.  My  father  knew 
that  Mr.  Matthews  had  his  full  complement  of  clerks 

In  the  morning  I  received  permission  from  my  parents 
to  go  and  see  Mr.  Matthews,  with  th-^  understanding 
that  If  ae  would  engage  me  they  would  consent  to  my 
going.  '^ 

Now,  the  question  was,  how  to  approach  Mr.  Mat- 
the.^,  and  I  formed  many  plans,  but  finally,  trusting  to 
Mr.  Dyde  for  an  introduction,  and  getting  him  to  get  his 
parents  to  offer  my  services  and  intercede  for  me  on  the 
ground  of  my  friendship  for  their  son,  an  interview  with 
Mr.   Matthews  was  had.     He  told  me  that  he  had  his 


M  f 


10 

full  complement  of  clerks  and  men  engaged,  and  that  I 
was  really  too  young  to  go;  but  he  iinally  said  to  me, 
"  If  you  can  get  your  parents'  consent  I  will  engage  you 
for  live  years  and  pay  you  one  hundred  and  twenty  dol- 
lars per  year,  more  on  account  of  John  Dyde  than  any- 
thing else,  as  he  wants  you  to  go  with  him."  I  then 
knew  the  negotiation  was  ended,  as  I  had  my  father's 
word,  which  never  failed. 

I  sought  my  father  and  reported,  and  he  and  my  mother 
were  sorely  disappointed  and  grieved,  but  offered  no 
further  opposition. 

The  agreement  was  soon  thereafter  signed,  and  I  drew 
fifty  dollars  which  my  mother  expended  for  my  outfit. 
A  part  of  my  outfit  consisted  of  a  swallow-tail  coat 
(the  first  I  ever  had)  and  pahts  and  vest,  all  of  which  were 
much  too  large  for  me,  and  designed  to  be  tilled  by  my 
future  growth. 

The  clerks  were  allowed  a  small  wooden  chest  in  which 
to  keep  their  outfit,  for  which  the  company  charged  them 
three  dollars;  the  chest  and  contents  weighed  about  sixty 
pounds.  In  one  of  these  my  wardrobe  was  packed, 
with  other  necessary  articles  prepared  by  my  mother. 

Every  preparaf  a  having  been  made  for  my  depart- 
ure, I  reported  myself  in  readiness. 

Orders  were  issued  for  the  voyagers  to  report  on 
the  1st  of  May  at  Lachine,  and  the  clerks  were  to 
report  at  the  same  place  on  the  13th  of  May,  at  ten 
o'clock  a.  m. 

Mr.  Wallace,  with  three  or  four  clerks,  was  detailed 
to  take  charge  of  the  loading  of  the  boats  on  May  1st. 

On  the  13th  of  May,  1818,  having  bid  adieu  to  my  mother 
and  sisters,   I  started  with  my  father  and  brother  for 


11 

Lachine,   where  I  airived   about   nine  o'clock  in  tlie 
morning  and  leiiorted  for  duty, 

Ti.e  boat,  were  all  lo,«1ed,  the  clerks  and  voyage.-s  were 
there  and  many  (rien.ls  and  relatives  hiul  i«sembled  to  l,i,l 
hem  farewell;  all  were  strangers  to  n,e,  except  my  friend 
l>yile,  Mr.  Matthews  and  Mr,  Walhw*. 

To  Mr.  Wallace  was  assigned  the  duty  of  ari-anging  the 
orews    and  detailing  the  clerks  to  the  different  blats. 
Mr.  WaUace  wius  a  Scotchman,  and  was  one  of  a  party 
wlm  was  .sent  by  Mr.  Astor  to  the  Columbia  River  on  an 
expedition  which  was  broken  up  by  the  war  of  1812      He 
with  others,  returned  overland;  their  vessel;  having  been 
attiutol  by  Indians,  was  blown  up  by  one  of  the  men  on 
board    He  was  a  man  of  large  experience  and  of  great  ener- 
Sy  and  capacity,  and,  like  most  Scotchmen,  was  a  strict  dis- 
cphnarian,  with  a  powerful  will  and  of  undaunted  courage 
lliough  sixty,  two  years  have  passed  since  then,  I  dis- 
tinctly ..ememter  the  animating  and  affecting  scene  pre- 
sented that  morning.     All  being  i-eady  for  the  departure 
It  m^  announced  that  a  half-hour  would  be  given  for 
eave-taking,  and  during  that  time  every  man  was  at 
liberty  and  under  no  restraint.     Then  came  the  parting 
embraces;  tears  and  blessings  being  showered  on  all 

Mr.  Matthews  had  embarked  in  the  largest  boat,  which 
Zrafers^  '^'"""'^^'^'  ""''  ™^'""<"'  ^y  ^  Pi**!  crew  of 

The  timeforleave-takingshavingexpired,  Mr.  Wallace, 
ma  loud  voice,  gave  the  command,  "To  boats  all";  and  in 
a  lew  moments  all  hands  were  aboard  and  pushing  off 
frmn  the  shore  amid  c'u  .rs  and  farewell  shouts 

HonTjbfr" '"  "'■•  ''•'"*'^"^'  ""^^  ^""«  «'«  boat 
"ong,  which  was  joined  in  by  all  the  voyagers  and  clerks 


12 

in  the  exi)edition.  Stout  arms  and  brave  liearts  were  at 
tlie  oars,  and  tlie  boats  fairly  flew  through  the  blue 
waters  of  the  St.  Lawrence  River. 

My  friend  I)yde  and  myself  had  been  assigned  to  the 
same  boat,  a  favor  we  recognized  as  coming  from  Mr. 
Matthews. 

I  cannot  describe  my  feelings  as  I  looked  back  upon 
the  forms  of  my  father  and  brother,  from  whom  I  was 
tlien  about  to  be  separated.  Nor  did  I,  until  that  time, 
realize  my  situation  or  regret  my  engagement.  The 
thought  that  I  might  never  again  see  those  most  dear  to 
me  fllled  my  soul  with  anguish.  Bitter  tears  I  could  no., 
help  sliedding,  nor  did  I  care  to. 

When  the  boats  stopped  for  lunch  at  noon,  the  clerks 
Avere  invited  to  meet  Mr.  iVfatthews,  and  were  then  intro- 
duced to  each  other,  Mr.  Matthews  making  a  short 
speech  to  them. 

,  Our  lunch  consisted  of  wine,  crackers  and  cheese,  and 
in  a  lialf-liour  from  the  time  of  halting  we  resumed  our 
journey. 

About  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  we  camped  for  the 
night.  The  clerks  all  messed  with  Mr.  Matthews,  in  a 
mess-tent  provided  for  the  purpose.  One  small  slee-ping 
tent  was  allotted  to  four  clerks. 

The  men  had  no  shelter  except  tarpaulins,  which,  in 
stormy  weather,  were  placed  upon  poles,  thus  forming 
a  roof.  Log  fires  were  kindled  at  either  or  both  ends, 
and  each  man  was  provided  with  one  blanket. 

The  voyagers  kept  their  clothing  and  tobacco  in  linen 
or  tow  bags  provided  by  the  company  for  that  purpose. 
The  clerks  were  supplied  with  a  thin  mattress,  upon 
which  two  slept,  and  a  blanket  each,  and  a  small  tarpau- 


13 

lin  in  which  to  roll  up  their  mattress  andblanKets.     The 
tarpaulin  also  served  as  a  carpet  for  the  tents. 

The  men  were  fed  exclusively  upon  pea  soup  and  salt 
pork,  and  on  Sunday  an  extra  allowance  of  hard 
biscuit.  The  tables  of  the  clerks  were  also  supplied  with 
salt  pork  and  pea  soup,  and  in  addition  thereto,  with  tea, 
sugar,  hard  l)read,  and  such  meats  as  could  be  procured 
from  time  to  time. 

All  took  breakfast  at  daybreak,  and  soon  after  sunrise 
the  boats  were  under  way.  One  hour  was  allowed  at 
noon  for  dinner,  and  at  sundown  we  camped  for  the 
night,  w^hich  made  a  long  day  of  hard  woj-k  for  the  men, 
though  they  were  occasionally  allowed  ten  minutes  "  to 
pipe,"  i.  e.,  to  fill  their  pipes  for  smoking. 

Our  boats  were  heavily  laden,  and  our  progress  up  the 
swift  St.  Lawrence  was  necessarily  slow.  Some  days, 
when  we  had  "rapids"  to  overcome,  thi-ee  to  five  miles 
was  the  full  day's  journey.  And  where  the  rapids  were 
heavy,  the  crews  of  three,  and  sometimes  four  boats 
were  allotted  to  one,  seven  or  eight  of  the  men  being 
in  the  water,  pushing  and  pulling  and  keeping  the  boat 
from  sheering  into  the  current. 

Two  men  remained  in  the  boat,  one  in  the  bow,  the 
other  at  the  stern,  with  iron-pointed  poles  to  aid  the  men 
in  the  water,  and  to  steer  and  keep  her  bow  heading  the 
current,  the  rest  of  the  men  on  the  shore  pulling  on  a 
rope  which  was  attached  to  the  bow.  Yet  with  all  this 
force,  the  current  at  times  was  so  strong  the  boat  would 
scarcely  move;  and  the  force  of  the  current  would  raise 
the  water  to  the  very  top  of  the  "  cut- water,"  and  some- 
times even  over  the  sides  of  the  boat. 

On  several  occasions,  the  boat  and  men  were  dragged 


14 
back  until  thoy  f„,„„l  a„  "ed,ly,"  when  all  „-„nl,l  stop 
an,  roat  for  another  effort       Thie,  work  was  very  severe 
on   he  ■„,.„,  they  toiling  f,o,n  early  n.orninj,  nntil  night, 
w,M,  only  a„  hour's  interval  at  noon,  and  an  occasiona 
respite  while  stemming  a  swift  current 

Great  dissatisfaction  prevailed  ainoiiK  the  voyagei-s 
and,  desertions  heconiing  frequent,    guards  were  estab' 
hshed  at  night,  consisting  of  the  elerks;  and  yet  scarcely 
a  morning  appeare,!  that  some  were  not  niissin.r      We 
however,  moved  steadily  along,  making  a  dailyl-erage 
ot  ahout  hfteen  miles,  we  clerks,  sauntering,  whenever 
niclination  led  us,  on  the  hanks,  or  sometimes  inland  for 
several  miles,  stopping  at  houses  occasionally  and  eliat- 
tmg  with  the  inmates,  where  we  were  always  cordially 
.eeeived,  and  often  treated,  to  the  best  they  had     The 
news  of  the  advancing  brigade  preceded  us,  and  we  found 
them  fully  posted  as  to  our  coming.     At  one  time  we 
received  a  pleasa^.t  visit  from  the  late  Hiram  Norton  of 
J.ocki,ort,  Illinois,  who  then  resided  on  the  St.  Lawrence- 
and  then  began  an  acquaintance  which  in  later  years' 
ripened  into  a  warm  friendship. 

,,H°'™";1f'^'"S  *''««e  excursions  and  the  beauty  and 
variety  ot  the  scenery  through  which  we  passed    our 
daily  routine  became  extremely  monotonous.     We  were 
about  a  month  in  reaching  Toronto,  then  called  -'Little 
^  oik      a  small  town  of  about  three  hundred  inhabitants, 
mostly  Canadian  French.     By  this  time  the  number  of 
our  men   was  greatly  reduced  by  desertions,  and  Mr. 
Matthews  began  to  fear  that  he  would  be  obliged  to  leave 
some  of  the  boats  for  want  of  crews.     The  hard  work 
however,  was  over,  as  from  that  point  there  was  no  more 
current  to  hinder  our  progress.      Here  Mr.  Matthews 


15 

changed  our  route,  and  instead  of  passing  through  Lake 
Erie  via  Buffalo,  as  was  intended,  he  hired  ox  teams, 
loading  our  goods  in  carts,   and  detailing  most  of  the 
clerks   to  accompany  them  over  to  what   was  called 
"Youngs  Street,"  to  Lake  vSimcoe,  where  we  encamped 
and  remained  some  two  weeks,  until  all  our  boats  were 
hauled  over  and  launched  into  that  romantic  little  lake 
and  reloaded.    Two  yoke  of  cattle   were  also   i)ut  on 
board  one  of  the  boats.     We  struck  camp  and  proceeded 
to  the  other  end,  where  the  goods  and  boats,  with  the 
help  of  the  oxen,  made  the  Not-ta-wa-sa-ga  portage,  into 
the  river  of  the  same  name.    Though  this  portage  was 
only  six  miles,    we  were  a  week  conveying  our  goods 
and  boats  across.      During  this   time  we  were   nearly 
devoured  with  mosquitos  and  gnats.      We  were  in  an 
uninhabited  wilderness,  with  no  road  over  the  low  swamp 
lands    Desertion  among  the  men  had  ceased,  for  the  very 
good  reason  that  there  was  no  chance  to  escape.     All 
rejoiced  when  we  were  again  in  our  boats,  and,  with  the 
current  aiding  us,  swept  down  the  winding  course  of  the 
Nottawasagji  River.     The  worst  of  the  journey  was  now 
over,  and  with  lightened  hearts  the  voyagers  again  lifted 
their  voices  and  joined  in  the  melodious   boat   songs 
We  descended  the  river  to  Lake  Huron,  which  we  coasted. 
Early  in  the  afternoon  of  the  third  of  July  we  reached 
Goose  Island,  and  camped  in  sight  of  Mich  il-i-mac-i-nac 
"The  Great  Turtle,"  the  wind  being  too  strong  from  the 
west  to  admit  of  our  crossing  the  open  lake.    However,  as 
the  island  abounded  in  gull's  eggs,  we  spent  an  agreeable 
evenmg  around  our  camp  fires,  feasting  on  them. 

As  the  lake  was  still  rough,  the  morning  of  the  fourth 
bemg  too  stormy  to  venture  across,  we  devoted  the  time 


16 

to  washing,  and  dressing  in  our  best  clothing,  not  so 
much  in  cotnmetnoration  of  tlie  day,  as  of  our  joy  at 
the  sight  of  that  beautiful  island  where  our  wearisome 
voyage  was  to  end,  thankful  that  we  had  been  brought 
in  safety,  without  accident,  through  so  many  difficulties 
and  perils.  We  became  so  impatient  at  the  delay  that 
about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  we  started  across,  but 
the  wind  continued  so  high  that  the  passage  took  about 
three  hours,  and  we  were  unable  to  round  the  point  of 
the  island,  but  were  compelled  to  land  on  the  east  side, 
at  the  foot  of  ''Robinson's  Folly." 

Here  we  were  met  by  Messrs.  Kamsey  Crooks  and 
Robert  Stewart,  the  managers  of  the  American  Fur 
Company,  together  with  a  host  of  clerks  and  voyagers, 
who  extended  to  us  k  cordial  welcome,  and  thus  we 
celebrated  the  fourth  of  July,  1818. 

On  this  island  lived  old  voyagers,  worn  out  with  the 
hard  service  incident  to  their  calling,  with  their  families 
of  half-breeds. 

A  few,  only,  of  the  inhabitants  engaged  in  trade.  Mrs. 
Mitchell,  an  energetic,  enterprising  woman,  the  wife 
of  Dr.  Mitchell,  a  surgeon  of  the  English  army, 
and  stationed  at  Drummond's  Island,  had  a  store  and 
small  farm.  Michael  Dousman,  Edward  Biddle,  and 
John  Drew  were  also  merchants,  all  depending  on  trading 

with  the  Indians. 

These  merchants,  to  a  very  great  extent,  were  under 
the  influence  of  the  American  Fur  Company,  purchasing 
most  of  their  goods  from  them,  and  selling  to  them  their 
furs  and  peltries.  This  island  was  the  headquarters  of 
the  American  Fur  Company,  and  here  I  first  learned 
something  of  the  working  and  discipline  of  that  mam 


!  J 


17 

moth  corporation,  and  took  iny  first  loHsons  m  i]w  life  of 
an  Indian  trader,  a  lit«3  which  I  followed  oxcluHivoly  for 
ten  consecutive  years.  Here,  also,  was  located  Fort 
Mackinaw,  at  that  time  garrisoned  by  tinee  or  four 
companies  of  United  States  troops.  The  villagfi  had 
a  population  of  about  five  hundred,  mostly  of  Cana- 
dian French  and  of  mixed  Indian  blood,  whose  chief 
occupation  was  fishing  in  summer  and  hunting  in  winter. 
There  were  not  more  than  twelve  white  women  on  the 
island,  the  residue  of  the  female  population  being 
either  all  or  part  Indian.  Here,  during  the  summer" 
months,  congregated  the  traders  employed  by  the  Fur 
Company,  bringing  their  collections  from  their  several 
trading  posts,  which  extended  from  the  British  domin- 
ions on  the  north  and  the  Missouri  River  in  the  weat, 
south  and  east  to  the  white  settlements;  in  fact,  to  all  the 
Indian  hunting  grounds,  so  that  when  all  were  collected 
they  added  three  thousand  or  more  to  the  population. 

The  Indians  from  the  shores  of  the  ui)per  lakes,  who 
made  this  island  a  place  of  j-esort,  numbered  from  two 
to  three  thousand  more.  Their  wigwams  lined  the  entire 
beach  two  or  three  rows  deep,  and,  with  the  tents  of 
the  traders,  made  the  island  a  scene  of  life  and  anima. 
tion.  The  voyageurs  were  fond  of  fun  and  frolic,  and  the 
Indians  indidged  in  their  love  of  liquor,  and,  by  the 
exhibition  of  their  war,  medicine,  and  other  dances  and 
sports,  often  made  both  night  and  day  hideous  with 
their  yells.  These  voyageurs  were  c  .  Canadian  French, 
and  were  the  only  people  fitted  for  the  life  th  -  -n-e 
compelled   to  endure,    their  cheerful  tempera  •  id 

happy  disposition  making   them  contented   under  the 
privations  and  hardships  incident  to  their  calling. 


18 


At  tlu5  time  of  our  arrival,  all  the  traders  from  the 
North  and  the  (rreat  West  luul  reached  the  iHland  with 
their  returns  of  furs  collected  from  the  Indians  during 
the  previous  winter,  which  were  being  counted  and  ap- 
praised, and  th(^  profit  or  loss  of  each  "outHt"  ascer- 
tained. 

All  of  the  differtat  outfits  were  received  into  a  large 
warehouse,  where  they  were  assorted  into  various  classes 
or  grades,  carefully  counted,  packed,  and  pressed  for 
shii)ment  to  New  York  to  John  Jacob  Astor,  the  presi- 
dent of  the  company. 

The  work  of  assorting  recjuired  expert  judges  of  furs, 
a  nice  discrimination  between  the  different  grades  being 
necessary,  as  prices  varied  very  greatly,  there  being  as 
many  as  six  grades.  Marten  (sable),  for  example,  being 
classed  as  extra  fine  dark,  number  one  dark,  number  two 
dark,  number  one  fine  brown,  numbei-  two  fine  brown, 
immber  one  fine,  common,  number  two  common,  mim- 
ber  three  common,  good,  out  oi  season,  inferior,  dam- 
aged, and  worthless.  The  value  of  the  fur  of  this  animal 
dt)penued  as  nmch  (hi  color  as  fineness,  and  was  found 
in  the  greatest  variety  of  shades  of  color,  and,  with 
the  exception  of  silver  gray  fox,  was  th(i  most  valuable. 
Mink,  muskrat,  raccoon,  lynx,  wild  cat,  fox;,  wolverine, 
badger,  otter,  beaver,  and  other  small  fur  animals,  i. 
ceived  the  same  care,  except  there  were  fewer  g:- *les 
of  quality.  In  bear  skins,  only,  were  there  more  than 
four  grades,  but  in  those  the  discrimination  was  nearly 
equal  to  marten,  being  extra  fine  black  she,  numbor  two 
ditto,  fine  ii!:t!>4>e:'  oi'^,  number  two  ditto,  and  fine, 
coarse,  and  DnMu^va  one,  two,  and  three  he  bear.  Deer 
skins  required  but  little  skill   in  assorting  ;   they  were 


I  ^^ 


I!) 

cluHHeW  UH  red  (!„(.,  ,,m1  buck,  blue  doe.  blre  buck,  seascu 
doe,  season  buck,  out   .f  season,  and  d.una»<ed. 

The  conuuanders  of  outfits  were  deeply  interested  in 
tne  assortrntMit  of  their  furs,  and  Mere  very  watchful  to 
see  that  justice  was  done  them;  for  upon  this  depended 
then-  balance  sheets  of  profit  or  loss.  Hence,  frequent 
disputes  aiuse  as  to  the  grade  and  value  of  the  skins. 

Mr.  Matthews  had  the  general  management  of  the  fur 
warehouse,  and  on  anival  assumed  the  charge.  After  a 
row  days  I  was  ordered  to  report  to  him,  and  then  com- 
menced  my  first  instructions  in  the  fur  trade. 

It  was  my  business  to  make  a  second  count  in  ordei-  to 
verify  the  first.     The  first  count  was  entered  on  a  book 
not  seen  by  me,  and  if  mine  corresponded  witli  it,  the 
furs  were  placed  in  a  frame,  pressed,  marked,  and  rolled 
into  the  sliipping  wareroom.    If,  however,  my  count  did 
not  agree  with  the  first,  I  was  required  to  make  a  second 
count,  and  if  there  was  still  a  discrepancy,  a  thii-d  person 
was  called  upon  to  recount  them.     This  work  took  about 
two  mouths,  the  working  hours  being  from  five  o'clock 
in  the  morning  to  twelve  noon,  and  from  one  to  seven 
in  the  afternoon,  and,  as  I  was  obliged  to  maintain  a 
stooping  posture,  was  severely  fatiguing. 

About  one  hundred  vc^yageurs  were  detailed  to  assist  in 
this  business,  and  were  kept  under  strict  discipline 
Most  of  them  were  experienced,  and  were  generally  con- 
tented and  happy,  each  working  with  a  will,  knowing 
that  Mackinaw  fatigue  duty  came  but  once  in  four  years 
and  that  if  liiey  lived  through  the  succeeding  three 
years,  their  time  at  headquarters  could  be  spent  in  com- 
parative ease  and  comfort. 

A   party   was  also   oi-gnnized    to  cut   wood   on   Bois 


; 


1:1 


20 

Blanc,  and  bring-  it  in  boats  to  the  island  for  the 
use  of  the  agents  and  employes  who  remained  there; 
this  party  consistud  of  about  twenty-five  picked 
chc^ppers,  under  the  charge  of  one  of  the  clerks  detailed 
for  that  purpose.  Another  party  was  employed  in 
lyeing  (hulling)  corn,  and  drying  and  putting  up  foi- 
the  use  of  those  remaining  on  the  island,  and  foi- 
supplying  the  various  outfits  soon  to  leave  for  theii- 
trading  posts. 

The  daily  ration  issued  by  the  commissary  to  a  mess 
of  from  six  to  ten  men,  consisted  of  one  pint  of  lyed  or 
hulled  and  dried  corn,  with  from  two  to  four  ounces  of 
tallow,  to  each  man  ;  and  this  was  all  the  food  they  re- 
ceived, except  that  oniSaturday  flour  was  given  them  for 
Sunday  pancakes.  It  would  seem  that  this  was  a  very 
short  and  light  ration  for  healthy,  hard-working  men, 
but  it  was  quite  sufficient,  and  generally  more  than  they 
could  consume.  It  was  invariably  liked  by  them,  and 
it  was  found  that  they  could  endure  more  hardships  on 
this  than  oh  a  diet  of  bread  and  meat. 

Those  who  came  from  Canada,  their  first  season,  and 
who  were  called  mange-du-lard,  or  "pork- eaters,"  were 
usually  much  dissatisfied  and  angered  with  this  ration, ; 
as  on  the  voyage  up  they  were  fed  on  pork,  pease,  and 
hard  bread,  and  the  change  was  anything  but  agreeable 
to  them.  They  were,  however,  soon  laughed  out  of  it  by 
the  old  \oyageurs.  who  told  them  that  many  of  them 
would  be  thankful  for  even  that  before  they  returned 
from  their  winter  quarters. 

The  Company  had  a  yard  in  which  were  made  and  re- 
paired their  own  boats,  and  where  were  manufactured 
traps,  tomahawks,  and  other  articles  from  iron.     Other 


21 

parties  of  the  men  were  detailed  to  assist  the  mechanics 
in  this  work. 

Most  of  tlie  clerks  were  assigned  to  duty  either  in 
charge  of  the  different  gangs  of  men  or  in  the  wholesale 
nnd  retail  stores  and  offices.  From  these  duties  the  heads 
of  outfits  were  exempt. 

The  force  of  the  Company,  when  all  were  assembled 
on  the  island,  comprised  about  four  hundred  clerks  and 
traders,  together  with  some  two  thousand  voyageurs. 
About  live  hundred  of  these  were  quartered  in  barracks, 
one  hundred  lived  in  the  agency  house,  and  the  others 
were  camped  in  tents  and  accommodited  in  rooms  of 
the  Islanders. 

Dances  and  jjarties  were  given  every  night  by  the  resi- 
dents of  the  island  in  honor  of  the"  traders,  and  they, 
in  their  turn,  reciprocated  with  balls  and  jollifications! 
which,  though  not  as  elegant  and  costly  as  those  of  the 
present  day,  were  sufficiently  so  to  drain  from  the  par- 
ticipants all  the  hard  earnings  of  tlie  winter  previous. 

In  each  "brigade,"  or  outfit,  w.-.s  to  be  found  one  who, 
from  superior  strength  or  bravery,  Avas  looked  upon  as 
the  "bully"  of  that  crew,  of  voyageurs,  and  who,  as  a 
distmguishing  mark,  wore  a  black  feather  in  his  cap. 

These  ' '  bullies " '  were  generally  good  fighters,  and  were 
always  governed  by  the  rules  of  fair  play.  It  was  a  rule, 
and  was  expected, that  they  should  fight  each  other;  hence 
it  was  not  an  uncommon  thing  to  see  a  fight.  The  van- 
(luished  one  gave  up  his  black  feather  to  the  conqueror, 
or  shook  hands  with  him,  and  they  both  joined  with  the 
lookers  on  in  a  glass  of  beer  or  whisky  as  good-naturedly 
as  though  nothing  unpleasant  had  occurred. 


The  majority  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  island 


were  of 


98 


III 


uuxihI  blood-  A'anadian  juuI  IjuUjju  autl  tlioso  \vho\v«MH> 
of  |Mn\^  hloo«l.  ami  \vo»i*  lu\uls  ol"  f.uuilios.  IkkI  liulian 
w  i\  iv'^,  Thoir  rluhh"<Mi,  ( hough  unoilurattMl.  woit*  usually 
hriiiht  auil  iulflliu^MU.  an*!  loiul  ol"  liutM'v.  ilanring,  aud 
o[\\vv  an>us«Mnouls,  TI»on»  woix*  a  l\>\v  t>r  (ho  half  hroods 
who  ha«l  ituviv«»«l  a  t^»n»u»ot»  o«luoaliou.  oilhor  iu  Kuglish 
ov  KixMuh.  whioh  was  g-tMWMallv  ol"  littlo  uso  to  (Iumm. 
as  tho\  woi^Muostlv  (oo  la/.\  or  pnuul  (o(»arn  a  livt^lihootl, 


Au>ou,«,  tht*  Indiau  or  pari  huiian  wouion  who  wt 


ro 


or  hail  h«HM\,  n>arrio»l  {o  whilo  hushautis,  woit>  louud 
souu^  »>!' j;ti»al  iut»^H«>rtual  lajKioilN .  w  ho  » arriinl  ou  an 
0X1, M»si\«M ratio  withlho  luiUaus,  tMUMtl  whou»  was  llu» 
Mi's.  Miloholl  hofoH'  it»forr«*il  lo;  sho  hat!  a  stor«»  an«l  a 
farm,  lu^th  uuiKmoxooIUmU  n>au!»pMuoul.  an«l  horohihlron 
had  htH>M  woll  tHluoalt^l  iu  l\'U»a<la.  This  wotnau's  luss 
hand  was  a  Soololuuau  a)ul  a  surgtH>n  im  lh«»  Kuj;lish 
anuv.  and  whilo  tlu*  Island  of  Maokinaw  was  in  (ho 
possossiiMi  o\'  Kuiiland  ho  wass(a(ionod  (horo;  nMuoviuj; 
af(orwanls  (o  nrnn»n»«>nd's  IsKnui.  ho  rait^lv  visi(od  his 
fainilv.  (houjihonlv  (if(y  nulosdis(an(.  llowasa  man  of 
st\^M»ii-  |>n\jndi»'OS.  ha(od(lu»  '*  Yankoos.'"  and  would  hold 
tu>  sooial  iutoiiH>u rso  w  i(h  (hoiu. 

Mrs.  Mi(t'lu>H  was  quito  (ho  n>vorso,  and  luMUg  ra(hor 
IK-irtial  (o  (ho  "  Yankoos,"  (nvdod  (hon*  wi(h  j;r(Mi(  oon 
sidora(ion;  sho  was  a  (iut^  housok«M»|)or  and  ownoil  on<' 
of  tlu»  hos(  housos  on  (htMskuul;  slu^  was  (\)nd  of  good 
sooio(y.  vory  hospi(ahlo.  and  ou(or(aiutHl  handsonu^ly. 
ootivorsing  \\\  VWxwU  aiul  Knglish,  ho(h  of  whioh  slu^ 
spoko  (huMUly. 

AnotluM'of  (hoso  wiMuoti  was  Mrs.  liafrond>oiso,  who 
alst>  trailiHl  wi(htht»  Indians  in  (htMultMior,  usually  up 
iho  (tnuid  Kivor  i>f  Miohigaii;  hoiduughlor  was  highly 


m 


tMlnciilfil,  Mini  iniitri(<«l  II 
Mtifkiiwiw . 


«'  cotnininKlinf;  ojllrrr  at   It'oil 


Mrs.    LiiliomltoiHP  could    ivjul  mihI  \viil,<.  nnti 


WIIM    M 


jMM'hHt  huly  in  Ium-  nuinn 


widow.  Uvv  InislKind,  who  wmmm  lijulor.  I 


•>«id   killed  |>y  Ml)    hidiai 


UMH  mid  ClUIVOI'HIlllOli;   mI|(>  wmh  m 

Hiving  l)(>oii  mIioI 


look  his  |)ki«'(Wiiid  hiiMi 


»  oil    tlii<  MisHiMsippi   UiviT;  hIh< 


lU'Ms  mid  ai'cniniiliilpd  coiiMidiM-altk 


nioiM'v 


Slu>   wjiM  ariiMwnrdH  cinploycMl  on  a.  walaiy   liy 


llio  Aiiiorican  l<'iir  ('oinpany 


Mis.  (Miandk'r 


iiolcd    lor   hrr  ladvliko  niann 


a  sislvr  of  Mrs.  LarroinlK»ist',  was  al 


HO 


viitiu's. 


w 


ors    and   many    (MiriHlian 


Nor  liiishand  was  an  invalid  and  her  daiiKhl 


(»r  a 


i'low.  This  daiiKhler  was  also  highly  ednralrd  and 
was  consi^lonMl  tho  hollo  of  Mackinaw;  sli..  artorvvardM 
•nniriod   Mr.  M.'ard.  a  lawy»>r  of  (livon  May.   WisciMiHin. 

It  was  niy  p».ul  CoHimo  to  ho  roc(Mvod  into  tli««H(>  ox- 
•ollonl   laniiliosasa  vv,.|,'onio   visitor,  and   thov  all  took 


an  inlorost  in  iik^  ;ind  inv  woH", 


ChMK, 


Mv 


•  IV.  oalliiiM-  I'll*  tlioir  "hoy 


i«Msnro  ovonniKs    woro  passed    with  Ihoni, 


much  to  my  ploasnro  and  advani 


ceivod  niiK-h  j^ood  a»lvi<'o,  as    w(>ll 


'•K'*'     I'Voiii  tli(«iii  I  ro 


as  instniction  in  tin 


'"•*••""'  «»•'  <'ondnr(  iiiK  trade  u  itii  the  IndiaiiH,  whiel 


ol  niiieh  hen«>lit  to  i 


I  waH 


n<»  in  my  after  lite  as  a  trader 


ll  was  also  my  piod  rortmie  to  lorni  II 


<»r  Mr.  hesehiinips.  wl 
tiio  "  Illinois  ontlit." 


le  an  1 1  win  I  la  nee 
lo  was  an  old  man  and  tli(<  lu^ad  ol' 


Ml 


l>«vseliamps    had    Imh^ii    (>«lneated    at   (,hiehee   t 
Coman  Catlmlie  priest,  hut,  relnsinK   to  he  ordained,  I 


or  a 


Jit  Hie   a^t*  of   niiu>t 


le. 


<'<"<>.  ''iiKaKed  himself  to   Mr.  Han 


'•  ll"' trader  at  St.  Louis,  and  had  devohul  many  yivuH  of 
Ins  life  to  th,«  hulian  tni.le  on  the  Ohio  and  '  lllinoiH 
Hiv.Ms      \v'h,.n  tlM>  American  Kur  Company  was  <,rKun. 


i'l 


24 

izod  he  was  eiij^a^d  by  tliom  and  plaanl  in  charge  of  the 
"Illinois  brigade,"  or  outtit. 

It  was  tlie  policy  of  tlie  Anieri(!aii  Fur  ('ompany  to 
monopolize  Mie  entire  inr  trade  of  the  Northwest ;  and  to 
lliis  end  they  engaged  fully  nineteen-twentieths  of  all  the 
traders  of  that  territory,  and  with  their  immense  capital 
and  influence  sutM^eeded  in  breaking  u])  the  business  of 
any  trader  who  refused  to  enter  their  service. 

Very  soon  aftei-  reaching  Maekinaw  and  making  re- 
tnrns,  the  traxhMs  couiuieiu'ed  organizing  their  crews  and 
])reparing  their  outtits  for  their  return  to  winter  (piarters 
at  their  various  trading  posts,  those  destined  for  the  ex- 
treme North  being  tlie  first  to  receive  attention.  These 
outtits  wei-e  called  "brigades," 

The  "brigade"   destined  for  the  L;dve  of  the  Woods, 
having  the  longest  journey  to  make,  was  the  first  to  de- 
pr.rt.    They  were  transported  in  boats  called  "  batteaux," 
which  very  uiuch  resembled  the  boats  now  used  by  fish- 
ermen on  the  great  lakes,  except  that  they  were  larger, 
and  were  each  manned  by  a  crew  of  live  men  besides  a 
clerk.     Fonr  of  the  men  rowed  while  the  fifth  steered. 
Eju'h  boat    <'..rried    abont  three    tons  of  merchandise, 
together  with    the    clothing  of    the    men   and   rations 
of  corn  and  tallow^     No   shelter  was  provided   for  the 
voyagenrs.   and  their  Inggage   was  confined  to   twenty 
pounds  in  weight,   carried  in  a  bag  provided  for  that 
purpose. 

The  commander  of  the  "brigade"  took  for  his  own  use 
the  best  boat,  and  with  him  an  extra  man,  who  acted  in 
the  capacity  of  "  orderly"  to  the  expedition,  and  the  vill 
of  the  commander  was  the  only  law  known. 

The  clerks  were  furnished  with  salt  pork,  a,  bag  of  Hour, 


25 


I  MSI  and  cofl'w',  jiiKl  ji  tout  for  sln^ltcr,  and  mesMfd  with 
tlip  (ronnnandf  !•  nnd  orderly. 

A  va.st  multitude  assemhl^Ml  ;it  the  liarhor  to  witness 
(Ikmi-  (h^partui-e,  and  wluni  all  was  muly  the  boats  glided 
Ironi  the  shore,  the  crewH  siiigin«.- some  favorite  boat  song, 
while  the  multitude  shouted  their  farewells  and  wishes 
lor  a  successful  trip  and  a  safe  return;  and  thus  outlit 
after  outfit  started  on  its  way  for  Lake  Supeiior,  Upper 
nnd  Lower  Mississippi,  and  other  j)()sts. 

The  "Wabash  and  Illinois  River  outfits"  were  almost 
th(^  last,  and  wei-e  speedily  followed  by  the  smaller  ones 
for  the  shores  of  Lakes  Huron  and  Michi^r.,,,,  j.nd  which 
consisted  of  but  from  one  to  three  boats. 

i  was  detailed  to  the  Fond-du-Lac  (Lake  Sui.erior) 
"iM'i^^ade,"  and  a  week  or  yo  before  its  depaiture  was 
relieved  from  duty  at  the  fur  warehouse. 

About  this  time  I  received  a  letter  frcmi  my  father, 
wiitten  at  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  in  which  he  informed  me 
that  he  and  my  brothei-  weie  thei'e  on  theii-  way  to  St. 
Louis,  and  that  they  luid  waited    tliere  a  week  lookin*,- 
I'or  the    Pui-  Company's   vessel,    whi(!h  it  was  expected 
would  touch  there  on  her  way  fiom  Buffalo  to  Mackinaw, 
upon  which  they  hojied  to  obtain  passage,  and  thus  visit 
nie,  and  if  they  found  no  way  of  i)roceeding  to  St.  Louis 
iVom  thei-e,  they  would  return  on  tlie  vessel  to  Erie  :  but 
IV'arin^-  she  had  passed,  and  being  uncertain  whether  they    • 
shoidd  find  me  on  the  island,  they   had  reluctantly  con- 
<'I|'<I<"<1   to  continue  their  journey  by  way  of  Cincinnati. 
I  had  before  this  been  told  by  Mr.  Deschamps  that  he 
made  a,  trip  every  fall  to  St.  Louis,  with  one  boat,  to 
l)uiThase  supplies  of  tobacco  and  otlier  necessaries  for 
distribution  anions  the  vario 


traders  on   the  Illi 


lois 


2« 


II 


River;  and  sijs  he  hud  .seemed  fond  of  me,  jind  possessed 
'iiy  coidideiice,  \  \v«Mif  iiiiuu'diiitelv  to  liini  with  iiiv  let- 
ter,  thinkin;n- to  advise  with  him.  and,  periiaps.  to  send  hy 
him  ail  sinswei-  to  my  father.  After  hearing-  my  story, 
he  deliglited  me  by  sayin«--,  ••  Would  yon  like  to  «o  with 
nie,  if  it  can  be  so  arranged^"  to  whieh  I  answeivd  affirni- 
Jitively,  and  begged  for  his  inHuence  and  efforts  to  tliatend- 
A  Mr.  Warner,  a  fellow  cleik  from  Montreal,  luid  been 
detailed  to  Mr.  l)es(Oianii)s'  ''brigade." 

"Now,"  said  Mr.  Descha.mps,  "if  you  can  get  Mr. 
Warnei-  to  consent  to  an  exchange,  I  think  I  can  get  Mr. 
Crooks"  i)ermission;  I  can  see  no  objection  to  it,  and  as 
1  am  the  irdvty  mostly  interested,  I  think  it  can  be  ar- 
ranged with  him;  you  nrust  first,  however,  obtain  Mi'. 
Warner's  consent,  and  then  I  will  see  what  1  can  do." 

So  oft'  I  started,  letter  iii  hand,  to  see  Warner,  not 
daring  to  hope  for  success;  but  to  my  surprise  I  found  he 
preferred  going  north  to  south,  and  woukl  gladly  make 
the  change.  I  reported  to  Mr.  Deschanips,  and  he,  seeing 
my  anxiety,  took  my  letter  and  went  immediately  to  Mr. 
Crooks,  who  gave  his  consent,  and  with  it  an  order  to  the 
book-keeper  to  change  the  names  in  the  details;  you  may 
feel  certain  that  1  felt  inu<h  rejoiced  at  my  good  fortune. 
Thus  my  desire  of  finding  my  father  in  St.  Louis  was  the 
ju'obable  (?anse  of  an  entire  change  in  my  destiny,  for, 
instead  of  being  located  in  the  cold  regions  of  the  North 
where  my  friend  Warner  froze  to  death  that  winter,  my 
lot  was  cast  in  this  beautiful  State. 

Dnring  my  stay  at  Mackinaw  I  had  made  the  acquaint- 
ance of  John  H.  Kinzie,  a  clerk  of  abont  my  own  age, 
and  our  acquaintance  had  ripened  into  an  intimacy.  He 
had  entered  the  service  of  the  company  that  spring,  and 


27 

was  stiitioned  permiinently  at  Mjiekinaw.  and  waw  not  to 
he  sent  into  the  IndiMTi  coiintiy.  His  father  tlien  resided 
atCJliica^^o,  and  I  lind  leurnedof  tlie  ^vmt  liospitality  of 
the  family,  and  of  the  higli  esteem  felt  for  them  by  all 
vviio  knew  tiiem;  and  as  I  had  also  been  told  that  we 
should  make  a  stop  of  a  week  oi-  more  at  Chicago,  tlieie 
to  make  om-  airangements  for  crossing  oiw  boats  and 
goods  to  the  Desplaines  River,  I  gladly  accepted  letters 
of  introduction  wliich  he  kindly  i)roffered  me,  to  his 
fathei-  and  fandly. 

1'hroiigh  my  intimacy  witli  John  I  had  become  quite  fa- 
miliar with  the  appearance  of  the  Kinzie  family  and  their 
surroundings.  1  knew  that  Fort  Dearborn  was  located  at 
Chicago,  then  a,  fi'ontier  post;  that  it  was  garrisoned  by 
two  companies  of  soldiers,  and  that  on  my  arrival  there 
I  sJiould  for  the  first  time  in  my  life  see  a  prairie;  and 
I  felt  that  my  new  detail  was  to  take  me  aniong  those  who 
woukl  be  my  friends,  and  was  happy  in  the  thought. 


ii 


1  ( 


FIKST     VEAU     IN      THK      INDIAN     <<MNTIJV  —  M  A  ".(^rKTTE 
CKOSS  —  CHICAGO  —  KOIiT     DKAUUORN. 

The  time  of  our  departure  soou  arrived,  aud  about 
noon  on  the  lotli  of  September,  181.S,  our  "brigade" 
left  tile  harbor  in  twelve  boats. 

Afr.  I)es('liauii)s  took  nie  in  his  boat,  and  led  the  wny, 
with  his  iine.  strong  voice  starting  the  boat  song,  in 
which  all  the  crews  heartily  joined. 

The  people  on  the  shore  bid  us  a  "Godspeed,"  and 
joined  ^\'ith  us  in  the  hope  for  our  safe  return  the  next 
season. 

The  Islanders,  more  than  any  one  else,  regretted  our 
departure,  as  what  few  of  the  tradeis  renudned  would 
go  in  a  few-  da\'s  and  leave  them  to  the  monotony  of 
their  own  surroundings,  even  the  Indians  having  mostly 
dei)arted  for  their  hunting  grounds. 

Some  of  our  boats  were  crowded  with  the  families  of 
the  ti-aders,  the  oldest  of  whom  was  Mr.  Biesoii,  a  large, 
portly,    gray-headed   man,    who   was  then  about  sixty 
years  of  age.  and  for  more  than  forty  years  had  been  an 
Indian    trader   on    the   Ohio,    Mississippi,    and   Illinois 
Rivers.      His    wife   nas    a    pure-blooded   Pottawatomie 
Indian,  enonuous  in  size— so  Hesliy  she  could  scarcely 
walk,     ^riieir  two  daughters  were  nuirried,  and  lived  at 
Cahokie,  a  small  Fi-ench  town  opposite  St.  Louis.     Mr. 
Bieson   liad  n   house  and  some  property  at  Opa  (now 
Peoria),  but  had  l)een,  with  all  the  inhabitants  of  that 
place,  driven  off  by  the  United  States  troops,  under  com- 
mand of  General  Howard,  in  the  year  1818,  and  a  fort 

(28) 


21) 

was  there  erected,  whicli  was  called  Foil  (Jhii-k.  TIih 
town  of  Opa  and  Fort  Clark  were  situated  at  the  foot  of 
Lake  Peoria,  on  the  Illinois  River,  where  now  stands 
the  iiourishing  city  of  Peoria. 

The  inhabitants  of  Opa  wex'e  suspected  (wrongly,  I 
think)  by  our  government  of  being  enemies,  and  of 
aiding  and  counseling  the  Indians  in  giving  assistance  to 
Great  Britain,  and  this  was  the  cause  of  (feneral  How- 
ard's action  in  (;oTnp(aiing  them  to  vacate.  Undoubtedly, 
some  of  them  favored  the  British,  and  was  paid  spies, 
but  a  large  nuijority  opposed  the  Indians  in  siding  with 
the  British,  and  counseled  them  to  act  neutrally  and 
attend  to  their  hunting. 

Among  the  others,  who  had  with  them  their  families, 
were  Messrs.  Bebeau,  of  Opa,  and  Lefrond)ois,  Bleau,  ancl 
La  Clare,  all  of  whom  had  Indian  wives ;  and,  in  fact, 
there  were  but  three  or  four  single  men  in  the  party.' 
Those  having  families  messed  by  themselves,  while  the 
single  men  clubbtid  together.  Mr.  Descliamps  was  fond 
of  good  living,  and  our  mess  of  five  was  well  provided 
for,  having  such  meats,  fish,  and  wild  fruits  as  were  pre- 
sented to  us  by  the  Indians  when  we  met  them  on  the 
shore  of  Lake  Michigan. 

It  was  Ji  custom  of  the  Indians  to  present  the  head  man 
of  an  expedition  with  the  best  they  had,  expecting  to  re- 
ceive in  return,  salt,  powder,  or  something  else  of  value 
to  them.  The  clioice  parts  were  retained  by  Mr.  Des- 
champs  for  his  own  table,  and  the  balance  distributed 
among  the  traders. 

The  traders  were  all  provided  with  small  tents,  but  the 
only  shelter  given  t..  the  men  was  what  was  alfcn-ded  by 
the  boat  tarpaulins,  and,  indeed,  no  other  was  needed 


4 


tilt  (^unip  lirt^s  bein<!;  sufficient  t'oi*  wjirrntii  (luring  tlie 
ni'^lit.  No  covering  but  their  single  blanket  was  re- 
(juirecl,  unless  the  weather  was  stormy. 

The  boats  progressed  at  the  rate  of  about  fort\'  miles 
per  day  undei*  oars,  and  when  the  wind  was  fair  we 
hoisted  our  squni'e  sails,  by  the  aid  of  which  we  were 
enabled  to  make  seventy  or  seventy-five  miles  per  dny. 
If  the  wind  jiroved  too  heavy,  or  blew  strong  ahead,  we 
sought  an  entrance  into  the  first  creek  or  river  we  came 
to,  and  there  jiwaited  a  favorable  time  to  proc^eed.  If 
caught  by  a  storm  on  the  coast,  when  a  shelter  could  not 
be  reached,  we  sought  the  shore,  wliere  oui'  boats  were 
unloaded  and  hauled  up  on  to  tlie  beach  out  of  leach  of 
the  surf.  This  was  a  hard  and  fatiguing  labor,  and  was 
accomplished  by  laying  do^n  poles  (m  the  sand  from  the 
edge  of  the  water.  The  men  then  waded  into  the  water 
on  eadi  side  of  th*"  boat,  and  by  lifting  and  pushing  as 
each  large  wave  rolled  against  it,  finally  succeeded  in 
landing  it  high  and  dry  on  the  shore.  The  goods  were 
then  piled  up,  resting  on  poles,  and  covered  over  with 
the  tari)aulins.  which  were  raised  to  the  leeward  by 
poles,  so  as  to  form  a  good  shelter  for  the  men  and  i)ro- 
tect  them  fi-oiu  wind  and  rain.  Sometimes  we  wei-e 
compelled  to  renifiin  thus  in  camp  for  four  or  five  days 
at  a  time,  waiting  for  the  storm  to  subside,  and  dining 
this  time  many  games  were  indulged  in,  such  as  nicing, 
wrestling,  and  card  playing,  and  all  were  jolly  and  con- 
tented :  sometimes  varying  the  monotony  by  hunting  oi- 
fishing. 

Our  journey  around  Lake  Michigan  was  rather  a  long- 
one,  having  occui)ied  about  twenty  days.  Nothing  of 
interest  transpired  until  we   reached   Mar(piette    RiAer. 


81 


nboiit  vvher«  tlie  town  of  Liid 


iriMton  now  Mtands.     Tliis 


was  tlie  .spot  wli.MH  Father  Murqm^tU^  died,  alxMit  ,me 
hiindivd  and  forty  yenr.s  before,  and  we  saw  the  ivi 
of  a  ivd-cedar  cro.ss,  erected  by  h 


IlillllS 


death  to,  ninrk  his  <.nm' :  and  though  hi 

l)een  removed  to  the  Mission,  itt  Point  St.  Ignac^,  tlie 


is  men  at  tiie  time  of  hi^ 


«  remains  liiid 


cross  was  hehl  sacred  by  til 


paid  revei-emre  to  it  by  kneel 


evoya^eurs,  wljo.  in  pussin. 


m<r  and  nuikin;'-  tlie  si 


I'll  of 


the  cross.  It  was  al)out  tliree  feet  above  tlie  ^r,.(,Mnd,  and 
in  a  falling  (ujndition.  We  re-set  it,  leaving  it  out  of  the 
ground  about  two  feet,  and  as  I  never  saw  it  sifter.  I 
doubt  not  that  it  was  covei-ed  by  the  drifting  sands  «,f 
the  following  winter,  and  that  no  white  man  ever  saw  it 
afterwards. 

We  proceeded  on  our  voyage,  and  on  tlie  evening  of 
September  m  1818,  reat^hed  the  moutli  of  the  Calmnet 
River,  then  known  as  tue  "Little  (Jalumet,"  xvhere  we 
met  a  party  of  Indians  returning  to  their  villages  from 
a  visit  to  Chicago.  They  were  very  diunk,  and  before 
midnight  commenced  a  %lit  in  whi(,'li  several  of  their 
number  were  killed.  Owing  to  this  disturbance  we 
removed  our  camp  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  and 
spent  the  remainder  of  the  night  in  dressing  ourselves 
and  preparing  for  our  advent  into  Chicago. 

We  started  at  dawn.  The  moi-iiing  was  calm  and 
bright,  and  we,  in  our  holiday  attire,  with  Hags  flying, 
completed  the  hist  twelve  miles  of  «„ir  lake  voyag^.' 
xVrriving  at  Douglas  Urove,  where  the  prairie  could °be 
seen  through  the  oak  woods,  I  landed,  and  climbing  a 
tree,  gazed  in  admiration  on  the  first  pi-airie  I  had  ever 
seen.  The  waving  grass,  intermingling  with  a  rich  profu- 
sion of  wild  flowers,  was  the  most  beautiful  sight  T  liad 


?^'^^ 


■  t 


83 


I 


|! 


!i 


ever  i^jized  upon.  In  tlin  (listaiKv  tho  grove  of  BIii«' 
ThIjuuI  loomed  up,  l»«'yoM(l  it  the  timber  on  the  Despliiines 
River,  while  to  give  animation  to  the  scene,  i\  lierd  ol' 
wild  deer  appeared,  and  a  pair  of  red  foxen  emerged  from 
the  gra.sM  within  gunshot  of  me. 

Looliing  north,  I  saw  tlie  whitewaslied  hinldings  of 
Port  J)earl)orn  sjKirkling  in  the  sunshine,  our  boats  with 
Hags  tiying,  and  oars  keeping  time  to  the  clieering  l)oat- 
M(mg.  1  was  s])ell-boiind  :nid  jinuized  at  the  beautiful 
scene  l)efor  me.  I  took  tiie  trail  leiiding  to  the  fort,  and, 
on  my  arrival,  found  oui'  i^irty  camped  on  the  north 
side  of  the  river,  near  what  is  now  State  street.  A  sol- 
dier ferried  me  jicross  the  river  in  ji,  canoe,  and  thus  i 
made  my  iii-st  entry  into  (.'liicago,  October  1,  1818, 

We  were  met  upon  laiidiug  by  Mr.  Kinzie,  and  as  soon 
as  our  tents  were  pitched,  were  called  upon  by  the  officers 
of  the  fort,  to  all  of  whom  I  was  introduce(l  by  Mi-.  Des- 
<'h;uups  as  his  boy.  I  presented  my  letter  of  introduction 
to  Mr.  Kinzie,  and  with  it  a  packnge  sent  by  his  son.  In 
the  afternoon  I  called  at  Mr.  Kinzie' s  house,  and  had  the 
pleasure  of  meeting  his  fandly— consisting  of  Mrs.  Kinzie; 
tlieir  eldest  daughter,  ^[rs.  Helm;  theii-  youngest  daughter, 
Maria,  now  the  wife  of  Major-Ofeneral  David  Hunter,  of 
the  U.  S.  Army,  and  their  youngest  son,  Robert,  latepay- 
nuister  of  the  IJ.  S.  Army,  nil  of  whom  extended  to  me  a 
cordial  welcome.  As  T  had  so  recently  seen  .lolin,  and 
hiul  been  so  intinmte  with  him,  T  luid  much  of  interest 
to  tell  them. 

1  was  invited  to  breakfast  with  them  the  next  niornino- 
and  gladly  accepted.    As  I  sat  down  to  the  neat  and  well- 
ordered  table  for  the  first  time  since  I  left  my  father's 
house,  memories  of  home  and  those  dear  ^^o  me  forced 


88 

themselves  upon  me,  ami  I  could  m)t  suppress  my  tears. 
But  for  the  kindness  of  Mrs.  Kinzie  I  should  have  beaten 
a  hasty  retreat.     Slie  saw  my  predicament  and  said,  "  I 
know  just  how  you  feel,  and  know  more  about  you 
than  you  think  ;  I  am  going  to  be  a  mother  to  you  if 
you  will  let  me.    Just  come  with  me  a  moment."     She 
led  mo  into  an  adjoining  room  and  left  me  to  bathe  my 
eyes  in  cold  water.     When  I  came  to  the  table  I  noticed 
that  they  had  srspended  eating,  awaiting  my  return. 
I  said  to  Mrs.  Kin^ie,  "  You  reminded  me  so  much  of  my 
mother,  I  could  not  help  crying  ;  my  last  meal  with  her 
was  when  I  left  Montreal,  and  since  then  I  have  never 
sat  at  a  table  with  ladies,  and  this  seems  like  home  to  me." 
Mr.  Kinzie's  house  was  a  long  log  cabin,  with  a  rude  piaz- 
za, and  fronted  the  river  directly  opposite  Fort  Dearborn. 


FORT  DEARBORN. 

Fort  Dearborn  was  first  established  in  1804,  on  the 
south  bank  of  Chicago  River  near  where  it  then  dis- 
charged  into  lake  Michigan. 

It  was  evacuated  August  15,  1812,  by  Capt.  N.  Heald, 
Ist  U.  S.  Infantry,  who  was  then  in  command,  and  it 
was  on  the  same  day  destroyed  by  the  Indians. 

It  was  rebuilt  on  the  old  site  in  June,  1816,  by  Capt. 
Hezekiah  Bradley,  3d  U.  S.  Infantry,  and  occupied  by 
troops  until  October,  1823,  when  it  was  again  vacated 
and  left  in  charge  of  Alexander  Wolcott,  Indian  Agent. 

Re-occupied,  October  3,  1828. 

Troops  again  withdrawn.  May  20,  1831. 

Re- occupied,  June  17,  1832. 

Again  vacated,  July  11,  1832. 

3 


m 


34 

Ee-occupied,  October  1,  1832. 

And  finally  abandoned,  December  29,  1836. 

I  have  been  unable  to  find  from  the  records  of  the 
War  Department  by  whom  this  post  was  originally 
established,  but  find  it  to  have  been  commanded,  after 
its  re-establishment,  by  otficers  as  follows: 

Capt.  Hezekiah  Br.ulley,  3d  U.  S.  Infantry,  tvom  June, 
1816,  to  May,  1817. 

Brev.  Maj.  D.  Baker,  3d  U.  S.  Infantry,  to  June,  1820. 

Capt.  H.  Bradley,  3d  U.  S.  Infantry,  to  January, 
1821. 

Maj.  Alexander  Cummings,  Sd  U.  S.  Infantry,  to 
'October,  1822. 

Lieut. -Ool.  McNeil,  3d  U.  S.  Infantry,  to  October,  1823. 

Fort  not  garrisoned  from  October,  1823,  to  October  3, 

1828. 

Capt.  John  Fowle,  oth  U.  S.  Infantry,  from  October  3, 
1828,  to  December  21,  1830. 

Lieut.  David  Hunter,  5th  U.  S.  Infantry,  to  May  20, 
1831,  when  the  troops  were  withdrawn. 

Maj.  William  Whistler,  2d  U.  S.  Infantry,  from  June 
17,  1832,  to  July  11,  1832,  and  from  October  1,  1832,  to 
June  19,  1833. 

When  I  first  saw  Fort  Dearborn  it  was  a  stockade  of 
oak  pickets  fourteen  feet  long,  inclosing  a  square  of 
about  six  hundred  feet. 

A  block  house  stood  at  the  southwest  corner,  and  a 
bastion  in  the  northwest  corner,  about  a  hundred  feet 
from  which  was  the  river. 

In  the  first  fort  an  underground  passage  was  con- 
structed from  the  bastion  to  the  river's  edge,  but  this 
was  not  kept  open  during  tLe  occupancy  of  the  second, 


35 

but  was  kept  in  condition  to  be  speedily  re-opened  should 
•occasion  ever  require  it. 

The  officers'  quarters  were  outside  of  the  pickets,  front- 
ing east  on  the  parade,  and  was  a  two-story  building  of 
hewn  logs.  A  piazza  extended  along  the  entire  front^on 
a  hue  with  the  floor  of  the  second  story,  and  was  reached 
by  stairs  on  the  outside. 

The  first  story  was  divided  into  kitchen,  dining  and 
store  rooms,  while  the  second  story  was  in  one  large 
room.  The  roof  was  covered  with  split  clapboards  about 
four  feet  long. 

The  soldiers'  quarters  were  also  of  logs,  and  similar  to 
the  officers',  except  that  both  stories  were  finished  off  and 
divided  into  rooms. 

In  the  northeast  corner  was  the  sutler's  store  also 
built  of  logs,  while  at  the  north  and  south  sides' were 
gates  opening  to  the  parade  ground. 

On  eacli  side  of  the  south  gate  were  guardhouses,  • 
about  ten  feet  square. 

The  commissary  storehouse  was  two  stories  in  height 
and  stood  east  of  the  guardhouse  and  south  of  the  sol- 
diers' quarters. 

The  magazine  was  constructed  of  brick,  and  was  situ- 
ated west  of  the  guardhouse,  and  near  the  block  house 
The  stockade  and  all  the  buildings   were  neatly  white- 
washed,  and  presented  a  neat  and  pleasing  appearance. 

West,  and  a  little  south,  of  the  fort  was  the  military 
barn,  adjoming  which,  on  the  east,  was  the  fort  garden 
of  about  four  acres,  which  extended  so  as  to  front  the 
foi-t  on  the  south,  its  eastern  line  of  fence  connecting 
with  and  forming  a  part  of  the  field  extending  south 
about  half  a  mile. 


36 


Adjoining  this  fence  on  the  east  was  the  only  road 
leading  from  the  fort  in  either  direction.  The  south  line 
of  the  garden  fence  extended  to  the  edge  of  the  river,  and 
a  fence  from  the  west  end  of  the  barn  extended  north  to 
the  river,  so  that  the  fort  was  wholly  inclosed  by  fence 
from  river  to  river.  The  inclosure  between  the  stockade 
and  the  outer  fences  was  covered  with  grass  and  adorned 
with  trees  and  shrubbery. 

The  well  was  in  the  outer  inclosure  and  near  the  south , 
gate,  while  about  two  hundred  feet  from  the  north  gate 
was  the  river,  a  stream  of  cleai',  pure  water,  fed  from  the 
lake. 

On  the  east  side  of  the  fort  the. river  was  from  four  to 
five  hundred  feet  from  the  pickets,  and  a  part  of  this  dis- 
tance was  a  low,  sandy  beach,  where  rude  wash-houses 
had  been  constructed,  in  which  the  men  and  women  of 
the  garrison  conducted  their  laundry  operations. 

Just  east  of  the  road,  and  adjoining  the  fence  running 
east  to  the  river,  was  the  "Factor  House,"  a  two-story, 
squared-log  structure,  inclosed  by  a  neat  split-picket 
fence.  This  building  was  occupied  from  1804  to  about 
the  year  1810  by  a  Mr.  Jonett,  United  States  factor,  and 
by  the  west  side  of  the  road,  adjoining  the  government 
garden,  in  a  picket- fence  inclosure,  was  the  grave  of  his 
wife.  At  the  second  construction  of  the  fort  he  was 
succeeded  by  John  Dean. 

For  a  distance  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  ' '  Factor 
House ' '  there  was  no  fence,  building,  or  other  obstruction 
between  the  government-field  fence  and  the  river  or  lake. 
Another  house  of  hewn  logs  stood  twelve  hundred  or 
more  feet  from  the  road,  and  back  of  it  flowed  the 
Chicago  River,  which,  as  late  as  1827.  emptied  into  Lake 


37 


Michigan  at  a  point  known  as  "The  Pines,"  a  clump  of 
a  hundred  or  more  stunted  pine  trees  on  the  sand-hills 
about  a  mile  from  the  fort.  On  the  edge  of  the  river, 
directly  east  of  this  house,  and  distant  about  four  hun- 
dred feet,  stood  a  storehouse  of  round  logs,  owned  by  the 
American  Fur  Company  and  occupied  by  its  agent,  Mr. 
John  Craft,  who  erected  it.  This  house  was  surrounded 
by  a  rail  fence,  and,  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Craft,  was 
occupied  by  Jean  Baptiste  Beaubien. 

Adjoining  this  storehouse  on  the  south  was  the  fort 
burying-ground.  The  east  line  of  the  government  field 
extended  to  about  this  point,  and  thence  west  to  the 
south  branch  of  the  river.  These,  with  the  addition  of 
a  log  cabin  near  the  present  Bridgeport,  called  "Hard- 
scrabble,"  a  cabin  on  the  north  side  occupied  by  Antoine 
Ouilmette,  and  the  house  of  Mr.  Kinzie,  comprised  all 
the  buildings  within  the  present  limits  of  Cook  County. 

Between  the  river  and  the  lake,  and  extending  south 
to  "  The  Pines,"  was  a  narrow  strip  of  sand  formed  by 
the  northeast  winds  gradually  forcing  the  mouth  of  the 
river  south  of  its  natural  and  original  outlet  at  Fort 
Dearborn. 

In  the  spring  of  1828,  the  Chicago  River  had  a  strong 
current  caused  by  flood  ;  and,  taking  advantage  of  this, 
the  officer  commanding  at  the  fort  ordered  some  of  his 
men  to  cut  a  passage  through  the  spit  of  land  at  the 
commencement  of  the  bend  and  parallel  with  the  north 
side  of  the  fort.  It  was  the  work  of  but  an  hour  or  two 
to  dig  a  ditch  down  to  the  level  of  the  river,  and  the 
water  being  let  in,  the  force  of  the  current  soon  washed 
a  straight  channel  through  to  the  lake  fifteen  or  more 
ieet  deep  ;  but  the  ever-shilting  sand  soon  again  filled 


j; 
If  I 


ii'maiL'i  ifni!ami-,....LJuiiii-iw 


' 


38 

this  channel,  and  the  mouth  of  the  river  worked  south 
to  ahout  where  Madison  street  now  is. 

To  Captain  Fowle,  however,  are  we  indebted  for  the 
first  attempt  to  make  a  harbor  of  the  Chicago  Eiver. 

The  officers  amused  themselves  with  fishing  and  hunt- 
ing ;  deer,  re^^  fox,  and  wild-fowl  were  abundant.  Foxes 
burrowed  in  the  sand-hills  and  were  often  dug  out,brought 
to  the  fort,  and  let  ^.oose  upon  the  sand-bar  formed  by 
the  outlet  of  the  river.  They  were  then  chased  by  hounds, 
men  being  stationed  so  as  to  prevent  their  escape  from 
the  bar.  These  fox  hunts  were  very  exciting,  and  were 
enjoyed  by  Indians  and  whites  ahke.  None  of  the 
officers  were  married,  and  as  the  suttler's  store  furnished 
the  only  means  of  spending  their  money  they  were  forced 
to  be  frugal  and  saving.     They  were  a  convivial,  jolly 

set. 

Fort  Wayne,  Indiana,  was  the  nearest  post-office,  and 
the  mail  was  carried  generally  by  soldiers  on  foot  and 
was  received  once  a  month.  The  wild  onion  grew  in 
great  quantities  along  the  banks  of  the  river,  and  in  the 
woods  adjoining,  the  leek  abounded,  and  doubtless 
Chicago  derived  its  name  from  the  onion  and  not,  as 
some  suppose,  from  the  (animal)  skunk.  The  Indian 
name  for  this  animal  is  chi-kack,  for  the  vegetable,  chi- 
both  words  were  used  to  indicate  strong  odors. 

What  is  now  known  as  the  North  Branch  was  then 
known  as  Eiver  Guarie,  named  after  the  first  trader 
that  followed  La  Salle.  The  field  he  cultivated  was  trace- 
able on  the  prairie  by  the  distinct  marks  of  the  cornhills.. 


goug , 


MUD     LAKE  —  ISLE      LA     CACHE  —  STARVED      ROCK  —  FORT 
CLARK  —  ENCOUNTER    WITH    AN    INDIAN  — ST.    LOUIS. 

Aft(3i'  a  few  days  at  Chicago,  spent  in  repairing  our 
boats,  we  struck  camp  and  proceeded  up  the  lagoon,  or 
'w^hat  is  now  known  as  the  South  Branch,  camping  at  a 
point  near  the  present  commencement  of  the  Ilhnois  and 
Michigan  Canal,  where  we  remained  one  day  preparing 
to  pass  our  boats  through  Mud  Lake  into  the  Aux  Plaines 
River. 

Mud  Lake  drained  partly  into  the  Aux  Plaines  and 
partly  through  a  narrow,  crooked  channel  into  the  South 
Branch,  and  only  in  very  wet  seasons  was  there  suffi- 
cient water  to  float  an  empty  boat.  The  mud  was  very 
deei),  and  along  the  edge  of  the  lake  grew  tall  grass  and 
wild  rice,  often  reaching  above  a  man's  head,  and  so 
sti'ong  and  dense  it  was  almost  impossible  to  walk 
through  them. 

Our  empty  boats  were  pulled  up  the  channel,  and  in 
many  places,  where  there  was  no  water  and  a  hard  clay 
bottom,  they  were  placed  on  short  rollers,  and  in  this 
way  moved  along  until  the  lake  was  reached,  where  we 
ft)und  mud  thick  and  deep,  but  only  at  rare  intervals 
was  there  water.     Forked  tree  branches  were  ti 


!• 


upoi 


mi 


iklj 


(39) 


''■"'■  ""ft  ?' 


Ill 


40 

the  ends  of  the  boat  poles,  and  these  afforded  a  bearing 
on  the  tussocks  of  grass  and  roots,  which  enabled  the 
men  in  the  boat  to  push  to  some  purpose.  Four  men 
only  remained  in  a  boat  and  pushed  with  these  poles, 
while  six  or  eight  others  waded  in  the  mud  alongside, 
and  by  united  efforts  constantly  jerking  it  along,  so  that 
from  early  dawn  to  dark  we  succeeded  onl_-  h\  <  ssing  a 
part  of  our  boats  through  to  the  Aux  Plo=  js  outlet, 
where  we  found  the  first  hard  ground.  While  a  part  of 
our  crew  were  thus  employed,  others  busied  themselves 
in  transporting  our  goods  on  their  backs  to  the  river ; 
it  was  a  laborious  day  for  all. 

Those  who  waded  through  the  mud  frequently  sank 
to  their  waist,  and  at  times  were  forced  to  cling  to  the 
side  of  the  boat  to  prevent  going  over  their  heads  ;  after 
reaching  the  end  and  camping  for  the  night  came  the 
task  of  ridding  themsel  ^s  from  the  blood  suckers. 

The  lake  was  full*  of  these  abominable  black  plagues, 
and  they  stuck  so  tight  to  the  skin  that  they  broke  in 
pieces  if  force  was  used  to  remove  them;  experience  had 
taught  the  use  of  a  decoction  of  tobacco  to  remove  them, 
and  this  was  resorted  to  with  good  success. 

Having  rid  ourselves  of  the  blood  suckers,  we  were 
assailed  by  myriads  of  mosquitoes,  that  rendered  sleep 
hopeless,  though  we  sought  the  softest  spots  on  the 
ground  for  our  beds. 

Those  who  had  waded  the  lake  suffered  great  agony, 
their  limbs  becoming  swollen  and  inflamed,  and  their 
sufferings  were  not  ended  for  two  or  three  days. 

It  took  us  three  consecutive  days  of  such  toil  to  pass 
all  our  boats  through  this  miserable  lake ;  when  we 
filially  camped  on  the  banks  of  the  river,  our  goods  had 


If 


41 


all  crossed  the  portage  and  we  were  once  more  ready  to 
proceed. 

Our  boats  being  again  loaded,  we  resumed  our  voyage 
dow^n  the  Desplaines  until  we  reached  Isle  La  Cache, 
where  low  water  compelled  us  to  again  unload  our  goods 
in  order  to  pass  our  boats  over  the  shoal  that  here  pre- 
sented itself  ;  and  again  we  camped  after  a  hard  day's 
labor. 

Isle  La  Cache  took  its  name  from  a  circumstance  in 
the  life  of  Mr.  Sara,  a  trader  who,  when  on  his  way  with 
loaded  canoes  from  Montreal  to  St.  Louis,  with  goods 
for  the  Indian  trade  on  the  Ohio  River,  camped  at  this 
point.  A  band  of  Indians  demanded  of  him  some  of  his 
goods  as  a  tribute  for  the  privilege  of  passing  down  the 
river;  this  was  refused.  The  Indians  then  returned  to 
their  village,  a  short  distance  below,  held  a  council  and 
determined  to  stop  his  canoes  as  he  passed  their  village, 
and  take  by  force  what  he  had  refused  to  give.  Some 
of  them,  however,  opposed  this  robbery,  and  one  of  the 
band  reported  the  action  of  the  council  to  Mr.  Sara. 

The  night  was  dark  and  misty,  and  Mr.  Sara  deter- 
termined  to  pass  if  possible  by  strategy,  but  to  fight 
rather  than  accede  to  their  demands.  Fearing  he 
might  be  overcome  by  numbers  and  thus  lose  his  goods, 
and  in  order  to  lighten  his  canoes,  so  that  he  could  pass 
rapidly  over  the  shoal  places  in  the  river,  he  ordered  the 
most  valuable  portion  of  his  goods  removed  to  a  grove, 
about  a  mile  distant  on  the  prairie,  and  there  hid  them 
in  holes  dug  in  the  ground  (caches),  removing  the  surplus 
earth  to  a  distance,  and  carefully  smoothing  over  the 
spot,  so  that  no  trace  of  the  hiding  place  could  be 
seen ;   he  then  armed  his  men  with  guns,  tomahawks, 


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42 

and  knives,  and  at  daybreak  started  on  his  way  down 

the  river. 

Stopping  at  the  village,  he  stationed  his  men  so  as  to 
guard  the  canoes,  and  then  called  on  the  Indians  for  a 
talk,  which  was  granted;  he  told  them  that  he  should 
defend  his  goods;  that  the  Great  Father,  the  French 
King,  had  given  him  permission  to  go  to  the  Ohio  River, 
and  showed  them  a  parchment  ornamented  with  numer- 
ous ribbons  and  large  red  seals;  he  said  to  them,  *'  here 
is  my  evidence,  the  King  has  made  this  writing,  and  it 
tells  you  that  I  must  not  be  stopped  or  disturbed  in  pass- 
ing through  the  nations  of  his  red  children;  if  any  harm 
shall  come  to  me  he  will  revenge  it  by  sending  an  army 
to  destroy  them  and  take  possession  of  their  country." 

This  speech  and  demonstration  had  the  desired  effect, 
and  the  Indians  were  glad  to  excuse  themselves;  they 
however  said  that  they  were  poor  ?nd  needed  clothing 
and  tobacco;  that  they  had  no  powder  and  but  few  guns, 
and  were  preparing  to  send  a  delegation  to  St.  Louis  to 
see  their  Great  Father's  Captain  to  state  their  condition 
and  make  known  their  wants. 

Mr.  Sara  replied  that  he  was  authorized  to  give  them  a 
present  from  their  Great  Father,  and  that  he  should  have 
done  so  but  for  their  demand  and  threat,  but  as  they  had 
repented,  he  would  now  give  it  to  them;  whereupon  ha 
handed  them  a  small  bale,  which  he  had  previously  pre- 
pared for  that  purpose,  and  ornamented  with  ribbons 
and  sealing  wax.  The  bale  contained  a  few  pieces  of 
calico,  powder  and  shot,  tobacco  and  flints,  and  steels  for 
striking  fire,  which  delighted  them  exceedingly. 

He  then  said  to  them,  "  You  see  my  canoes  are  light; 
I  have  but  little  in  them,  but  when  I  camped  last  night 


43 

you  saw  them  heavily  loaded.     I  had  a  dream;  the  Spirit 
told  me  you  held  a  council,  and  determined  to  roh  me- 
when  I  passed  your  village  this  morning;   that  is   why 
you  see  my  men  with  guns,    tomahawks,  and   knives, 
with  which  to  defend  themselves;  we  did  not  fear  you, 
though  there  are  many  of  you  and  we  are  but  few, 
though  you  might  have  overpowered  us;  we  are  now 
friends,  and  I  want  you  to  help  us;  go  with  my  men, 
take  your  pack-horses  and  bring  the  goods  I  have  left 
behind  and  help  us  down  the  river  with  our  boats  until 
we  reach  the  deep  water  below  the  shoals,  when  I  will 
give  you  another  bale  of  goods  in  token  of  my  friendship, 
and  bid  you   farewell."     To  this  they  consented;  the 
goods  were  removed  from  their  hiding  place  and  trans- 
ported on  horses  to  the  confluence  of  the  Desplaines  and 
Kankakee  Rivers  and  again  loaded  in  th.   canoes;  the 
Indians  being  both  surprised  and  amused  at  his  strategy. 
This  is  the  story  as  related  to  me. 

Our  progress  from  this  point  was  very  slow  indeed, 
and  most  of  the  distance  to  the  Illinois  River  our  goods 
were  carried  on  our  backs,  while  our  lightened  boats 
were  pulled  over  the  shallow  places,  often  being 
-ompelled  to  place  poles  under  them,  and  on  these 
drag  them  over  the  rocks  and  shoals.  In  this  manner 
almost  three  weeks  were  occupied  in  reaching  the  mouth 
of  Fox  River,  and  two  days  more  brought  us  to  the  foot 
of  Starved  Rock.  Parkman,  in  his  Discovery  of  the 
Great  West,  thus  describes  this  romantic  and  picturesque 
spot  : 

"  The  cliff  called  'Starved  Rock,'  now  pointed  out  to  travelers 
as  the  chief  natural  curiosity  of  the  region,  rises  steep  on  three 
sides  as  a  castle  wall  to  the  height  of  a  hundred  and  twenty-fivo 


n 


I  i  i 


1 1 


44 

f«*et  above  tho  rivor.  In  front,  it  overhangs  tho  water  that 
washes  its  base;  its  western  brow  looks  down  on  the  tops  of  the 
forest  trees  below  ;  and  on  the  (iast  lies  a  wide  gorge  or  ravine, 
choked  with  tlie  mingled  foliage  of  oaks,  walnuts,  and  elms;  while 
in  its  rocky  depths  a  little  brook  creeps  down  to  mingle  with 
the  river. 

"From  the  rugged  trunk  of  the  stunted  cedar  that  leans  for- 
ward from  tho  brink,  you  may  drop  a  plummet  into  the  river 
below,  where  the  catfish  and  the  turtles  may  plainly  be  seen 
gliding  over  the  wrinkled  sands  of  the  clear  shallow  current.  The 
cliff  is  accessible  only  from  behind,  where  a  man  may  climl)  up, 
not  without  difficulty,  by  a  steep  and  narrow  passage.  The  top  is 
about  an  acre  in  extent."  * 

After  leaving  Starved  Rock  we  met  with  no  further 
detentions  from  scarcity  of  water.  We  passed  on  our 
way  a  number  of  Indian  villages  and  stopped  a  few 
hours  at  each,  not  for  the  purpose  of  trading,  but  only 
to  barter  tobacco  and  powder  for  meat  and  ii.  ^.ian  corn. 
We  were  treated  kindly  by  all,  and  felt  perfectly  safe 
among  them  ;  they  were  all  acquainted  with  our  traders, 
and  knew  where  the  trading  houses  were  to  be  located, 
from  which  they  would  obtain  their  hunting  outfits. 

Opposite  the  mouth  of  Bureau  River,  and  about  a 
mile  above  the  present  site  of  the  town  of  Hennepin,  our 
first  trading  house  was  located,  and  placed  in  charge  of 
Mr.  Beebeau,  who  for  many  years  had  been  a  trader  in 
that  region.  I  was  assigned  to  this  post  and  w^as  to  have 
charge  of  the  accounts,  as  neither  Beebean  nor  any  of 
the  men  could  read  or  w^rite.  Beebeau  kepc  his  accounts 
with  the  Indians  by  a  system  of  hieroglyphics, 

I  was  permitted  by  Mr.  Deschamps  to  accompany 
him  to  St.  Louis,  whither  he  went  with  one  boat  to  pur- 

*  The  Discovery  of  the  Great  West,  p.  287-8. 


45 


chase  8Ui)plieH  of  tohiivco  and  some  other  needed  nrtioles 
from  the  French  people  at  Cahokia.  Beel)eau  received 
his  invoices  of  goods  and  detail  of  men,  and  vv(.  pro- 
ceeded  onward. 

Our  next  post  was  h)cated  three  miles  below  Lake 
Peoria,  and  about  sixty  miles  from  Bureau,  and  was 
placed  in  charge  of  old  Mr.  Beason,  a  venerable  man, 
who  had  long  been  a  trader  on  this  river,  and  was  well 
and  favorably  known  by  the  Indians  ;  this  we  called  Opa 
post. 

As  we  rounded  the  point  of  the  lake  above  Peoria,  we 
discovered  that  old  Fort  Clark  was  on  fire,  and  upon 
reaching  it  we  found  Indians  to  the  numl)er  of  al)out  two 
hundred  engaged  in  a  war  dance  ;  they  were  hideously 
painted,  and  had  scalps  on  their  spears  and  in  their 
sashes,  which  they  had  taken  from  Americans  during 
the  war  with  Great  Britain  from  1812  to  1815. 

A  young  brave  having  noticed  me,  inquired  who  I  was, 
and  Mr.  Deschamps  replied  that  I  was  his  adopted  son 
from  Montreal.  This  answer  he  gave  to  allay  the  sus- 
picion that  had  arisen  that  I  was  an  American,  a  nation 
then  much  disliked  by  the  Indians. 

The  Indian  doubted  the  truth  of  Mr,  Deschamps' 
statement,  insisted  that  I  was  an  American,  and  endeav- 
ored to  force  a  quarrel  with  me.  Mr.  Dechamps  left  me 
in  the  boat  in  charge  of  one  of  the  men,  and  went  among 
the  Indians  to  converse  with  them. 

Using  this  man  as  an  interpreter,  the  Indian  resumed 
the  conversation  with  me,  and  saying  that  I  was  an 
American,  took  from  his  sash,  one  after  another,  a  num- 
ber of  scalps,  and  showing  them  to  me,  told  me  they 
were  the  scalps  of  my  people.    I  was  trembling  with  fear 


JK         ».!   ,  J 


-U-J 


|: 


46 

>vlii('li  he  olwcrvcd,  Mild  dniwiii^-  from  his  sjtsli  a  lotig- 
li!iir«'d  HCiilp,  li«^  \v»'t  it  and  sprinklt'd  tim  watrr  in  my 
iiirv.  hi  a  moment  my  IViir  turned  to  ni^e,  an<l  sei/in^ 
Mr.  Dcscliiimps'  doiibh^barrelcd  ^un,  which  hiy  in  the 
Ixtttom  of  the  hoiit,  I  tool^  deliherati^  aim  at  iiim  and 
lircd.  'i'he  man  who  was  l(3ft  with  nu;,  s('(;ing  my  inten- 
tion, Htiiick  up  the  ^iin  sind  Haved  the  Indian's  life,  and 
l)i'o))abiy  my  own  Ji.nd  thnt  of  others  of  oiu*  party. 
Hearing  the  report  of  the  ^un  and  the  (;onse(]nent  (M)n- 
fusion,  Mr.  l)es(!humpH  and  the  men  vvitii  liim  ciune  rnn- 
nirifr  hiick  to  tlie  boats,  and  after  a  sliort  eonsultation 
Mr.  Dt^scliiimps  ordered  tlio  Imiits  to  i)ush  out,  and  we 
started  down  the  atream.  I^his  incident  left  sucli  an 
impression  on  my  mind  that  no  doul)t  exists  with  me  as 
to  tht^  time  of  the  burning  of  Fort  Chirk. 

Iliivin^  ^dven  Mr.  i3e;ison  iiis  outfit  and  left  with  him 
one  of  our  boats,  we  ])ursued  our  journey,  establishing 
posts  evei-y  sixty  miles,  tlie  last  one  being  abont  fifty 
miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  j-iver. 

From  this  point  we  departed  with  but  one  boat,  with  a 
l»icked  crew  of  men,  all  in  high  glee  and  singing  ii  Cana- 
dian boat  song,  in  whi(^h  Mr.  Deschainps,  as  usual,  led. 
We  made  rapid  progn^ss,  and  when  we  again  camped  it 
was  at  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  River.  On  the  follow- 
ing day,  November  sixth,  at  about  two  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  we  reached  St.  Louis.  Our  boat  was  soon 
surrounded  by  the  friends  of  Mr.  Deschamps,  among 
whom  were  many  priests,  and  all  united  in  a  hearty 
greeting. 

I  knew  my  father  and  brother  should  be  at  this  place, 
but  where  to  find  them  I  could  not  tell.  My  anxiety  to 
see  them  was  so  great  that  I  went  into  the  nearest  tavern. 


47 

but  I'oiiiul  IK)  iviu'v  of  Miorii  Mihih.      Am  I  wm  on   the 
strof't  T  i)n,ss»Ml  u  ^r,.,itU.ni!in  who  sj^'iiuhI  to  notice  nin  ;  1 
tiiriH'd  iiml  NpoU.^  to  hiin,  t^^Ilin^r  him  I  whh  a  .stiun^r,,,'  in 
Hojirch  of  my  fath.T.     II,.  ||,o„Kht  u  iiKmient,  tlion  said, 
"The  name  MoiirKls  fjuiiiliiir  ;  I  think  I  was  introdii^.d 
to  liiiri  at  Mr.  Paddocti^'s."     j  j.HJa'd  liitn  if  Mr.  l^iddoolt 
came  from  Vermont ;  hn  nq)lied  in  the  affirmative,  and 
directed  me  to  jiis  liou.sc,  which  I  noon  found.     Tiie  door 
was  opened  by  a  pretty  yonn^  Kiit*  who  told  me  that 
lie  wanat  Mr.  >:no,s\  wlio  was  also  a  Vermonter  and  an 
old  fri.-nd  of  our  family,    ib-re  at  latst  1 1'oinid  my  father, 
wlio  was  conversing-  willi  Mr.  Eiioh.     lie  did  not  recog- 
nize  me,  8()  mucli  Jiad   I  changed  .sinco  our  [)arting, 
thougli  only  Hix  months  Iiad  passed.     J  was  then  thin 
and  pale  from  close  conlinenumt  in  the  store,  but  with 
the  outdoor  life  and  exi)osure,  I  had  gained  in  weight 
and  strtmgth,  and  become  as  brown  as  an  Indian. 

On  irupiiring  for  my  brother,  I  learned  that  he  was 
employfKl  in  a  drug  store  near  by,  where  Ave  found  him 
pounding  soim^thing  in  a  mortar.  Though  I  did  not 
speak  lie  knew  me  at  once,  and  exclaimetl,  "O,  brother! 
brother!"  bursting  into  tears.  The  meeting  was  a  joy- 
ous one,  and  I  tliiidc  the  day  the  happiest  of  my  life. 

At  this  time  St.  Louis  had  a  population  of  about  eight 
hundred,  composed  of  French,  English,  Spanish,  and 
Americaii. 

Oahokia,  a  French  town  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river,  was  then  the  largest,  it  having  a  population  of 


About  two  ycm-s  previous  to  tho  doiUh  of  Mr.  Hubbard,  Miss  Paddock 
the  "  pretty  young  girl,"  of  1818,  was  reniiniled  of  this  incident  by  reading 
a  published  letter  of  IVIr.  Hubbard's,  and  immediately  wrote  him.  giving 
iier  address,  after  which  several  letters  passed  between  them. 


mi  ii 


1} ' 


I  ii 


ii 


48 

about  one  thousand.  There  Mr.  Deschamps  made  most 
of  his  purchases  of  flour  and  tobacco,  which,  with  some 
merchandise  bought  in  St.  Louis,  completed  our  return 
cargu. 

This  French  village  was  then  a  jolly  place.  Mr.  Des- 
champs was  a  favorite  with  all,  and  was  treated  as  the 
distinguished  guest  of  every  family.  There  was  dancing 
at  some  of  the  houses  every  night ;  and  even  the  priests 
claimed  his  assistance  in  their  singing. 

I  was  permitted  to  remain  in  St.  Louis  with  my  father 
and  brother,  being  required  to  report  daily  to  Mr.  Des- 
champs, and  perform  such  duties  as  were  assigned  to  me. 
My  home  was  at  Mr.  Paddock's,  with  my  brother,  and 
here  I  was  treated  very  kindly  by  all  the  family.  My 
father  was  preparing  to  go  to  Arkansas,  with  the  in  ten 
tion  of  locating  permanently  there ;  and  when,  at  the 
end  of  two  weeks,  we  parted,  it  was  our  farewell,  as  I 
never  saw  him  again. 


ii 


SHAUB-E.XEE_WA-BA  AND  CHE-MO-CO-MON-ESS-TIPPE 
CANOE  BATTLE  aUOUND-THE  KEAST  OF  THE  DEAD. 

About  the  t.,ve„tieth  of  November  we  started  on  our 
return  voyage,  ascending  the  Mississippi  and  Ilhnois  Riv 

and«fteent^HotBee::Lt:L:^;rrrsi^^^^^^^ 

.ng  me  particular  instructions  as  to  my  duties,  ^d'^r 
mg  the  books,  left  me  with  his  blessing.  TheacouutsCd   " 
heretofore  been  kept  in  hieroglyphics  by  Beebeau    mv 
gnoran^master,  who  proved  to  be  sickly,  Lss,  J^,Z 
ant.     He  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  time  in  bed 
attended  by  a  fat,  dirty  Indian  wonian,  a  doctress  wit 
made  and  adn.inistered  various  decocti.rs  to  1  m  '  oZ 
"f    our  men,    Antoiue,   had  an   Indian   wife  and  t^vo 
clnldren.  the  oldest  a  boy  about  my  own  aJe   but  vtZ 
--  not  regularly  in  the  en.ploy  of  the  Con,,;  1     '  "'" 

wnum^  ,t,  had  become  known  to  the  Indians  in  the  vicin 

my  amval  he,  accompanied  by  Shaub-e.nee  called  on 
me  say„,g  they  wished  to  see  the  little  An.erie  t^^^ 
&haub.e-„ee  was  then  about  tnentv-five 


(40) 


years  of 


age, 


'T 


I; 


I 


iiMiiiiil  ihil  il 


I 


% 


t!i; 


no 

and  was,  I  thought,  the  finest  looking  man  I  had  ever 
seen.  He  was  fully  six  feet  in  height,  finely  propor- 
tioned, and  with  a  countenance  expressive  of  intelligence, 
firmness  and  kindness.  He  was  one  of  Tecumseh's  aids 
at  the  hattle  of  the  Thames,  heing  at  his  side  when 
Tecumseh  was  shot.  Bt-coming  disgusted  with  the  con- 
duct of  General  Proctor,  he,  with  Billy  Caldwell  (the 
Sauganash).  withdrew  their  supi)ort  from  the  British 
and  espoused  the  cause  of  the  Americans.  Shauh-e-nee, 
in  after  years,  during  the  Black  Jiawk  War,  was  indefat- 
igahle  in  notifying  the  white  settlers  in  DuPage,  Grundy, 
and  La  Salle  Counties  of  threatened  danger,  often  riding 
both  night  and  day,  in  great  peril,  and  by  his  timely 
warning  and  counsel  saving  the  lives  of  many  settlers. 
He  lived  to  the  age  of  eighty-four  years,  and  died  July 
17,  1850,  at  his  home  in  Morris,  Grundy  County,  respected 
and  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him. 

Chief  Wa-ba  had  shortly  before  this  lost  a  son,  of 
about  my  own  age,  and  so,  according  to  the  Indian  cus- 
tom, he  adopted  me  in  his  stead,  naming  me  Che-mo-co- 
moness  (the  Little  American).  I  enjoyed  the  friendship 
of  Wa-ba  for  a  number  of  years  and  until  his  death,  and 
I  here  desire  to  deny  the  statement  made  by  a  historian 
of  our  State,  that  Wa-ba  plundered  certain  mounds  and 
removed  from  them  their  valuable  contents.  Such  a  deed 
would  have  been  wholly  at  \ariance  with  his  character, 
which  was  that  of  an  honest  man,  and  certainly  could 
not  have  occured  without  my  having  htovd  of  it,  which 
I  never  did  until  I  saw  it  in  the  book  refc.red  to. 

Wa-ba  had  another  son  who,  with  Antoine's  son  and 
myself,  frequently  hunted  together,  and  we  all  became 
quite  expert. 


51 

0..r  cabin  was  built  of  Iors,  those  forming  the  sides 
being  Ia,d  one  on  the  other  and  held  in  place  by  stakes 
driven  into  the  ground,  and  these  fastened  together  at  the 
top  by  withes  of  bark.      The  logs  forming  the  ends  were 
of  smaller  size,  driven  into  the  ground  perpendicularly, 
the  centre  ones  being  longer  and  forked  at  the  top  and 
upon  these  rested  the  ridge  pole.     Straightgrained' logs 
were  then  selected  an,l  split  as  thin  as  possible,  making 
sections  of  three  or  four  inches  in  thickness,  which  we,^ 
laid  with  one  end  resting  upon  the  ridge  pole,  the  other 
on  the  logs  which  formed  the  sides  of  the  cabin;  through 
these  was  driven  a  wooden  pin,  which  rested  against  the 
top  log  on  the  inside  of  the  cabin,  and  projected  eighteen 
niches  or  two  feet  above  the  roof.    The  cracks  and  open- 
"ig.s  of  roof  and  sides  were  then  daubed  with  a  cement 
made  of  clay  mixed  with  ashes,  and  then  the  whole  roof 
was  covered  with  long  grass,  which  was  held  in  place  by 
other  logs  laid  on  top. 

The  chimney  and  fire  place  were  made  in  the  follow- 
>.ig  manner:    At  the  centre  of  one  side  of  the  room  four 
straight  poles  were  driven  firmly  in  the  ground,  the  front 
ones  being  about  eight  feet  apart  and  the  back  ones  about 
five  fee  ;  then  small  saplings,  cut  to  proper  lengths,  were 
fastened  by  withes  at  each  end  to  the  upright  poles,  and 
about  eighteen  inches  apart.     Then  came  the  mortar 
made  from  clay  and  ashes,  into  which  was  kneaded  long 
grass  so  as  to  form  strips  ten  or  twelve  inches  in  width 
and  about  four  feet  long;  the  centre  of  these  strips  were 
then  placed  or  hung  on  the  cross  poles  and  pressed  to- 
g,ethcr  so  as   to  cover  the  wood,  and  in  this  way  the 
chimney  was  carried  up  to  the  top  of  the  upright  poles 
and  tlieii  three  or  four  feet  above  the  roof,  or  oven  with 


ijIT'' 


i;* 


t\w  ri(1};v  |»()1(> 


scco 


52 
11(1   csimI    «>r   moi'liir,  mIkmiI   Uvo 


uu'hvH  thick,  wmm  (hen  Ihrow^i  on.  |)I(>hh(mI  io  Uu^  nni^h 
jirst  coMt  Miul  Hiuoolluvl  with  live  ImiulM;  \\w  licjirlli  wms 
llu>n  ni.uh'  of  dry,  Ht.ill"  cliiy,  pouikUmI  down  hard,  find  the 
siructuro  was  linislicd. 

I'  tlio  <'Ml)in  WMH  in;id(>  ol"  piinclironM,  I  lie  hwv- 


Tho  iloor  o 


fjUH 


>  o 


r  which  w(M(Mhvssed  with  a  common  axe  or  lonia- 


hawk,  so  as  to  rcmov(»  the  splinters.  th(>  cdj;(>s  h(Mn^^ 
Ic  to  tit  together  as  close  as  possihle.  Th(>  door  was 
1(>    of     the     san»(>    material.     pnnch(>ons.    lumg    on 

ith 


niai 


mai 


1    w 


wooden   hingvs,  and  fasUMUMl   hy   a    wooden  laid 
hack  string  attached,  so  il conld  he  rais(>d   I'rom  th(>  out- 
1(>,  and  wlien  th(>  siring  was  ])nlled  in,  the  door  was 

k(>d. 

To  niak(»  \ho  window,  one  of  the  logs  in  th(»  end  of  the 
cahin  was  cut  so  as  to  l(Mve  an  opening  of  ahont  (Mghteen 
ineh(>s  in  widlh  hy  twenty  or  thirty  inclu'S  in    length. 


SK 


IO( 


into  which  was   s( 


i  a    rongh  sash,  and     over   tins  was 


pasti^d  or  ghied  papei',  w 


Inch  had   heen    thoronghly  oih'd 


will 


1   l)ear  or  coo 


n  gr(>as(>.     This   eompleliMl  tJie    lions(> 


U(>ahovetl\e other,  and 


which  wis  wai-m  and  comfortaitle. 
Onrhnnks  W(>re  placed  in  a  row.  o 
weriMnade  of  pnnclieons  split    as  tliin  as) 
hottom  r(>st(^l  on  ])arallel  saplings  cnt  to  a  prop(M' liMigt  h, 

■rted  in  a  two  inch  anger  hol*^ 


|)ossi!)l( 


Tl 


U! 


WO  end  o['  whifh  was  insc 


in  the  logs  of  lh.>  cabin,  and   the  other   snpi)orted   hy  a 
t  upright.     Th(>  hedding  eonsist(>d  of  loni 


pnncheon  s* 
(•t>ai's(»  grass, 


was  p 


laid  lengthwis(M)f  thehnnk.on  top  of  which 
lac(>U  a  skin  of  some  kind  (generally  hnckskin)oran 


Indian  mat.     At  th(>  head  the  grass  was    rais(>d  so  as  to 


make  a  pilU>w,  ai\d  to  (>ach  man 


was  allowed  on(>  blankest 


lor  cover 


M 


n>"  (.'il'N',  with  n.iiiMl  s;ipliM^rl,.^rH,  uikI    |.!m(-hc(.Ti  top 


.'111(1  }i  tliiv((  |(>g^«.(|Hl,<H>l,(;()iiH|,ni<;kMl  iiiM 
(•om|)|((t,,j|  (,li((  riiniidiiv  of  |, 


H'  s.'iiiK^iiiainier. 


H'  niaiiHioM. 


TllOolily  tools  .•illovvcd    to   <.;i(||    ,„i(lit 


vv.iH  a  cotmnon 
iiiary  Hcnlpiiig  kiiiln,    n 


•  '  six    iiichoH    lon^-  mimI 


l\\^\   a  tvvo-iiicli   iinp-r,  an    oid 

c-ntokcd    kiiilo  (this   had    a,  hiad 

rounded  at  th(^  <-nd).  and  tomahawk,  and  with  tl 

plciiicnts  nvcrythinK  vvas  coiiHtnictc'd,  and 

fncn  did  (ixcclh'nt  work  with  tl 


i('H(!  nn- 


soin((  o 


I    tl 


10 


Our  kit(;h(!n  utonscl 


<'H(!siinpl(^  toolH. 


m 


<'!■    on(iH. 


s  wcio  Ccw  and  piiiijitivc.  (;onsi8t- 
K  <»'■  .••  frying-pan,  a,  (;onplc  of  tin  ])ots,  oik^  very  largo 
Indian  howl  niado  of  wood,  and  s«!V(!raJ  small 
'I'.il'l*'  knives  and  forks  wo  had  none,  and  onr  spoonH 
woro  of  wood,  ranging  in  oapacity  fnnn  a,  gill  to  a  pint. 

Wood  was,  of  course,  plenty,  and  oin-  large  (lr(^I)la(;o 
was  kept  well   (ilk-d. 

■om  a  h(K)k  made 


A  eanip-kettle  chain  was  susp(nided  fi 
I'rom  tli<.  lind.  of  a,  tree  and   fastened    to  the  roof    I 


which  also  hung  cords,    whicl 


ronj 


I  w(!r(!  UHod  for  roasting 


K'tHKv     Onr  meat  Ix^ng  thus  snsptMided  beforo  a  bright 


III 


<',  It  was  the  duty  of  one  man.  with  a  1 


ong  Hti(^k,  to 

l<('01>'<'  vvhirling  ra,pidly  until  snfificiently  cooked,  when 
it  was  placuMl  in  the  largo  wooden  bowl  on  the  tal)Io,  and 
*''"''  '»"<"  ''<'l|><"*l  hims(>lf  by  cutting  off  with  his  knifoand 
lingers  as  nmch  as  lio  desired  Hsually  wo  had  nothing 
•<"Ih«^  on  th(>  tables  ex.vpt  honey.  Tlu^  wild  turkey  was 
UH('d  aH  a  substitnto  for  bread,  and  when  eaten  with  fat 


vemson,  C(»on,  or  bear,  is  more  delicious  th 


ca 


n  i 


Ein  any  roast 


>o. 


Ono  of  our  luxuries,  which 


w  as  ros(3rvod  for  special  oc- 


msions,  was  corn  soup,  and  this  was  alw 


n\ 


Tl 


lys  acc(!j)tal)lo 


lOHo  traderH  who  wore  so  fortunate  as  to  possess  an 


|! 


^ 


II  r 


1 

* 

1 

i 

i 

1 

i 

l^ 

a 


64 

iron  bako-pan  or  skillet,  were  particularly  favored,  and 
the  more  so  if  they  were  also  possessed  of  flour,  for  then 
many  delicacies  were  possible,  and  many  kinds  of 
chopped  meats  and  baked  ' '  avingnols ' '  afforded  a  dish  not 
to  be  refused  by  kings. 

Let  nui  give  one  or  two  recipes  :  To  one  pound  of 
lean  venison,  add  one  pound  of  the  breast  of  turkey, 
three-fourths  of  a  pound  of  the  fat  of  bear  or  raccoon  ; 
salt  and  pepper  to  taste,  and  season  with  the  wild  onion 
or  leek;  chop  up  or  pound  fine  (the  meat),  and  mix  all 
well  together  ;  then  make  a  thin  crust,  with  which  cover 
the  sides  and  bottom  of  the  bake-pan  ;  then  put  in  the 
meat  and  cover  it  with  a  thicker  crust,  which  must  be  at- 
tached firmly  to  the  side  crust  ;  now  put  on  the  cover  of 
your  bake-pan  and  set  it  on  the  hot  coals,  heaping  them 
on  the  top,  and  bake  for  one  hour,  and  you  will  have  a  de- 
licious dish. 

Another :  Make  a  thin  batter  and  drop  small  balls  of 
the  minced  meat  into  it  and  fry  in  bear  or  coon  fat,  tak- 
ing care  that  the  meat  is  well  covered  with  the  batter. 
This  we  called  '"  les  avingnol." 

From  the  ponds  we  gathered  the  seeds  of  the  lotus, 
which  we  used  for  coffee,  our  ever-filled  honey-trough 
furnishing  the  sweetening.  Our  supply  of  salt  and  pepper 
was  rather  limited,  and  these  were  used  only  on  special 
occasions. 

Thus  passed  the  winter.  When  at  home,  chatting,  jok- 
ing and  playing  tricks  on  each  other;  making  oars  and 
paddles  to  replace  tlie  worn  out  and  broken  ones,  and 
getting  ourselves  ready  for  the  spring's  departure. 

As  I  had  little  to  do  in  the  house  besides  keeping  the 
books  and  being;  present  when  sales  were  made  for  furs 


.«■! 


56 

or  on  credit,  and  being  disgusted  with  the  disagreeable 
and  filthy  habits  of  my  master,  Beebeau,  I  fairly  lived  in 
the  open  air  with  my  two  comrades.    Our  time  was  spent 
in  the  manly  exercise  of  hunting  and  tiapf)ing,  on  foot 
or  in  canoes,  and  as  they  spoke  in  the  Indian  language 
only,  they  were  of  great  assistance  to  me  in  learning  it, 
which  I  accomplished  before  spring.     I  also  became  pro'- 
flcient  in  hunting,  and  could  discern  animal  tracks  on  the 
ground  and  tell  what  kind  they  were,  and  whether  thoy 
were  walking  slow  or  fast  or  running.     I  could  detect 
the  marks  on  the  trunks  of  trees  made  by  such  animals 
as  the  raccoon  or  panther,  if  they  had  made  it  a  retreat 
within  a  month  or  so.     My  companions  had  many  laughs 
and  jokes  at  my  expense  for  my  awkwardness  in  hunt- 
ing and  ignorance  in  tracking  animals,  but  I  faithfully 
persevered  in  my  education. 

My  clothing  during  this  winter  and  for  the  subsequent 
years  of  my  life  as  a  trader,  consisted  of  a  buckskin  hunt- 
ing shirt  or  a  blue  capote  belted  in  at  the  waist  with  a 
sash  or  buckskin  belt,  in  wiiich  was  carried  a  knife  and 
sheath, "a  tomahawk,  and  a  tobacco  pouch  made  of  the 
skin  of  some  animal,  usually  otter  or  mink.  In  the 
pouch  was  carried  a  flint  and  steel  and  piece  of  punk. 

Underneath  my  outside  garment  I  wore  a  calico  shirt, 
breech -cloth,  and  buckskin  leggins.  On  myfeet  *neips 
and  moccasins,  and  sometimes  in  Avinter,  a  red  knit  cap 
on  my  head.  I  allowed  my  hair  to  grow  I<  )ng  and  usually 
went  bareheaded.  When  traveling  in  winter  I  carried, 
and  sometimes  wore,  a  blanket. 
During  this  winter  I  made  two  trips  into  the  interior: 


*  Square  pieces  of  blanket  which  wer<-  folded  over  the  feet  and  were 
worn  m  plaoc  of  stockings. 


LI 


i?^ 


r  f ' 

i: 

1 

1 

1 

1 

\^ 

I     1    _ . 

li 


J  1 


66 

One  to  the  mouth  of  Rock  River,  where  I  first  saw  Black 
Hawk,  ami  for  the  first  time  slept  in  an  Indian  wigwam. 
The  other  to  the  Wabash  Rivei-.  For  the  privilege  of  go- 
ing, I  was  required  to  carry  a  ])ack  on  my  back  of  fifty 
pounds  Aveight,  the  men  with  me  carrying  eighty 
pounds.  These  packs  contained  goods  to  exchange  for 
furs  and  peltries.  During  the  first  few  days  this  was 
very  severe,  and  I  often  wished  I  had  not  undei'taken  it, 
but  by  the  time  1  returned,  I  was  able  to  carry  my  pack 
with  comparative  ease  and  keep  up  with  the  others  in 
walking. 

On  my  trip  to  the  Wabash  River  we  found  a  band  of 
Kick-a-poo  Indians  encami)ed  on  Pine  Creek,  a  branch  of 
the  Wabash,  and  one  evening  quite  a  number  of  the  In- 
dians gathered  into  the  trader's  wigwam  and  were  dis- 
cussing the  subject  of  Harrison's  fight  at  Tippecanoe.  A 
number  of  these  Indians  had  participated  in  the  battle, 
and  twelve  of  them  had  been  wounded.  As  I  could  not 
understand  their  language  sufiiciently  well  to  converse,  I 
employed  my  man  as  interpreter,  and  told  them  that 
from  Avhat  I  had  read  in  books,  they  had  deceived  Gen- 
eral Harrison,  pretending  to  be  friendly  and  getting  him 
to  camp  in  an  exposed  situation  where  an  attacking 
enemy  would  h;ive  great  advantages.  They  laughed 
heartily,  saying  that  the  contrary  was  the  truth.  He  had 
selected  the  strongest  natural  position  in  all  that  country ; 
that  at  any  other  place  they  could  have  conquered  him 
and  but  few  could  have  escaped.  In  consequence  of  his 
strong  position,  they  had  a  long  consultation  in  planning 
the  attack.  I  was  so  much  interested  in  what  I  heard 
that  I  asked  to  go  to  the  battle  ground  on  the  following 
morning,  which  they  agreed  to.     Accordingly,  the  next 


67 

morning  I  was  furnished  with  a  pony,  and  accon.panied 
by  two  or  three  of  them,  started  for  the  hattlo  ground 
and  on  arriving  there  found  that  their  report  was  eor^ 
rect  and  was  much  surprised  at  seeing  such  a  lo<;atio„ 
The  ground  was  admirahly  adapted  to  defense,  heing 
on  an  elevated  plateau.     On  the  westerly  side  ran  Bur- 
nett Creek,  tlie^  hank  of  xvhich,  on  the  side  of  Harrison's 
encampment,  was  very  steep,  while  on  tlie  opposite  side 
the  descent  was  gradual.     On  the  easterly  side  was  a 
pmn-ie  swamp  skirting  the  plateau.    x\ortherly  and  east- 
erly was  high  ground  and  timber  land,  and  it  was  here 
and  along  the  creek  that  Harrison's  soldiers  made  the 
attack.    From  Harrison's  Report,  pp.  28i)-200,  it  appears 
that  General  Harrison  did  not  quite  like  the  ground,  l,ut 
I  am  satisfied  that  no  better  could  have  been  found  in 
that  vicmity,  and  in  that  opinion  I  am  sustained  by  Gen- 
eral Tipton,  who  participated   in   the  battle,  and  with 
whom   I  afterwards   became  acquainted  while   he  was 
Indian  agent  at  Logansport,  Ind. 

At  a  subsequent  date  I  again  visited  the  locality  in 
company  with  General  Tipton,  and  he  pointed  out  to  me 
the  positions  held  by  the  contending  forces,  and, his  ac- 
count of  the  battle  agreed  with  that  given  me  by  my  red 
friends.     The  general  and  myself  seated  ourselves  under 
a  tree,  on  the  bank  of  the  little  creek  where  the  Kick- 
a-poos  made  their  attack,  and  he  there  detailed  to  me  the 
incidents  of  the  march  and  fight.    With  a  small  stick  he 
mapped  out  on   the  ground  the  positions  held  by  the 
troops  and  Indians,  and,  playfully  digging  and  throwing 
up  pebbles,  he  said:     -  Near  this  spot  a  friend  of  mine 
had  his  jaw  shot  away;  he  suffered  great  agony,  but  soon  ■ 
died.       Just  as  he  said  this  he  unearthed  some  teeth 


^rf 


08 


i    ? 


i 


which  had  once  belonged  to  a  human  being.  He  i)icked 
them  up,  firmly  believing  tlu'm  to  be  those  of  his  friend, 
and  for  years  after  they  occupied  a  'aco  in  his  cabinet 
of  curiosities. 

Our  trip  proved  Ci  successful  one,  and  having  sold 
all  our  goods,  we  hired  ponies  to  transport  our  furs  and 
peltries  and  returned  homo,  where  I  was  warmly  wel- 
comed by  my  young  companions,  who  were  glad  to  have 
me  again  join  them  in  their  hunts.  A  day  sufficed  to 
decipher  Beebeau's  hieroglyphics,  extract  from  lem- 
orandas  and  memory,  the  items  of  accounts,  and  write 
up  the  books,  and  I  dropped  back  into  the  regular  routine 
of  my  life.  I  also  made  a  visit  to  our  trading  post  sit- 
uated thn^e  miles  below  Peoria,  which  was  in  charge  of 
old  Ml'.  Beason.  Though  this  post  was  sixty  miles  dis- 
tant we  reached  it  in  one  day's  travel  by  starting  at  day- 
light and  walking  until  dark,  and  returned  after  a  visit 
of  two  or  three  days.  By  constant  practice  I  had  by  this 
time  become  a  good  walker  and  could  cover  forty  to  fifty 
miles  per  day  with  ease. 

Winter  passed  without  any  special  incident,  and  early 
in  March,  1811),  we  received  by  a  carrier  orders  from  Mr. 
Deschamps  to  hav(>  every  thin^"  in  complete  readiness  to 
start  for  Mackinaw  on  the  twentieth.  Wo  kept  track  of 
the  days  of  the  month  by  notches  cut  in  a  stick,  which 
hung  in  the  store,  having  no  almanac  or  calendar,  and 
indeed  I  was  the  only  one  of  the  party  who  could  have 
read  it  if  we  had  possessed  one. 

Our  fare  had  consisted  during  the  winter  of  a  variety 
of  game,  such  as  venison,  raccoon,  panther,  bear,  and 
turkey,  varied  as  spring  apprm^ched  with  swan,  geese 
and  crane,  besides  almost  every  variety  of  duck.     Prairie 


1 


09 

chickens  eind  quail  were  also  abundant,  hut  these  we  did 
not  consider  eatable.  Qui-  game  was  cooked  in  French 
style,  and  to  our  mind,  could  not  be  excelled  in  any 
kit(.'hen. 

We  had  received  in  the  uill  one  pound  of  green  tea  and 
a  bag  of  flour,  about  a  hundred  pounds,  and  while  this 
lasted  we  luxuriated  on  Sundays  in  pancakes  and  lionev 
The  woods  abounded  in  wild  honey,  and  we  kept  a  large 
wooden  bowl  full  at  all  times,  of  which  we  partook  when- 
ever we  desired. 

In  the  forenoon  of  the  2()fch  of  Afarch,  we  heard  in  the 
distance  the  sound  of  the  familiar  boat-song  and  recoo-- 
nized  the  rich  tones  of  Mr.  Deschamps'  voice,  and  we 
knew  the  -  Brigade"  was  coming.  We  all  ran  to  the 
landing  and  soon  saw  Mr.  Deschamps'  boat  rounding  the 
point  about  a  mile  below;  his  ensign  floating  in  the 
broeze.  We  shouted  with  joy  at  their  arrival  and  gave 
th(im  a  hearty  welcome. 

The  remainder  of  the  day  and  far   into   the   night 
was    spent  .in    exchanging  friendly  greetings   and  re- 
counting   the    events  that    had  transpired    since    our 
partmg.     Little  sleep  was  had,  and   but  little   wanted 
Mr.  Deschamps  had  flour  and  tobacco,  and  we  feasted  and 
smoked  and  talked  and  laughed,  and  a  happier  party 
cannot  well  be    imagined..    The  next  day  we  spent  in 
loading  our  boats,  and  the  day  following  the  thirteen 
boats  of  the  "Brigade  "  pushed  off  from  the  shore,  and, 
to  the  music  of  the  Canadian  boat-song,  we  started  on 
our  long  return  journey. 

The  first  night  we  halted  at  our  old  campground  at 
the  foot  of  Starved  Rock.  From  this  point  until  we 
reached  Cache  Island,  our  progress  was  very  slow,  averag- 


*..igfcs>«»-< 


60 


1 

f 

^ 

1 

\v 

ing-  l)ut  from  six  to  ten  inih^H  per  day.  The  river  was 
hi^li,  tlie  current  swift,  and  the  rapids  strong,  and  as 
the  l)oats  WiU-e  heavily  laden  and  a  (;old  storm  previiiled, 
we  were  <;lad  to  camp  tsarly  and  afford  the  men  a  much- 
needed  rest.  Early  ilie  morning  following  we  left  Cache 
Island,  and  as  the  wind  was  strong  from  tlu^  southwest, 
we  hoisted  our  square  sails  for  tho  first  time,  and  rapidly 
passed  up  the  Desplaines  River,  tln\,>ugh  Mud  Lake,  to 
South  Branch,  regardless  of  the  course  of  the  channel, 
and  soon  reached  Chicago. 

We  camped  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  a  small  dis- 
tance above  Fort  Dearborn,  where  we  remained  six  or 
eight  days  rc^pairing  our  l)oats  and  putting  them  in  con- 
dition for  the  more  serious  journey  of  coasting  Lake 
Michigan. 

Our  stay  in  Chicago  was  a  pleasant  one  to  me.  The 
same  officers  were  in  command  at  the  fort  that  were 
there  when  we  left  in  the  fall,  and  warmly  greeted  us 
on  our  return. 

Mr.  Kinzie  again  took  me  to  his  own  house,  where  I 
was  treated  as  one  of  the  family,  and  I  formed  a  strong 
attachment  for  these  good  friends.  Seeing  Mrs.  Kinzie 
again  brought  my  mother  vividly  to  my  miud,  and  made 
me  all  the  more  anxious  to  hear  from  her  and  my  father. 
Since  parting  from  them  I  had  not  heard  from  either, 
and  could  not  expect  to  until  I  reached  Mackinaw. 

On  a  beautiful  morning  in  April,  about  the  20th  or 
25th,  we  left  Chicago  and  camped  at  the  Grand  Calumet. 
We  did  not  desire  to  reach  the  mouth  of  Grand  River 
(Grand  Haven)  before  the  May  full  moon,  for  annually 
at  that  time  the  Indians  assembled  to  fast  and  feast  their 
dead,  the  ceremonies  occnpying  eight   or  ten  days.     A 


i 


61 

noted  burying  ground  was  selected  and  the  ground  around 
tlie  graves  thorougldy  cleaned,  chey  being  put  in  the  best 
of  order.  Many  of  the  graves  were  marked  by  small 
poles,  to  which  were  .attached  pieces  of  white  cloth. 
These  preparations  having  been  completed,  all  except 
the  young  children  blackcuied  their  faces  with  charcoal 
and  fasted  for  two  whole  days,  eating  literally  nothing 
during  that  time.  Though  many  of  them  had  no  rel- 
atives buried  there,  all  joined  in  the  fast  and  ceremonies 
in  memory  of  their  dead  who  were  buried  elsewhere,  and 
the  sounds  of  mourning  and  lamentation  were  heard 
around  the  graves  and  in  the  wigwams, 

At  the  close  of  the  two  days'  fast  they  washed  their 
faces,  put  on  their  decorations,  and  commenced  feasting 
and  visiting  from  one  wigvi^am  to  another.  They  now 
placed  wooden  dishes  at  the  head  of  each  grave,  which 
were  kept  daily  supplied  with  food,  anil  were  protected 
from  the  dogs,  wolves,  and  other  animals,  by  sticks 
driven  into  the  ground  around  and  inclosing  them.  The 
feasting  lasted  several  days,  and  the  ceremonies  were 
concluded  by  their  celebrated  game  of  ball,  which  is  in- 
tensely interesting,  even  the  dogs  becoming  excited  and 
adding  to  the  commotion  by  mixing  with  the  players 
and  barking  and  racing  around  the  grounds. 

We  progressed  leisurely  to  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Joseph 
River,  where  we  encamped  for  several  days,  and  were 
joined  by  the  traders  from  that  rive  •.  We  reached  Grand 
River  early  in  May,  and  sought  a  good  camping  place  uo 
the  river,  some  distance  fi-om  the  Indian  camps.  The 
"Feast  of  the  Dead"  had  commenced,  and  many  In- 


dians had  already  arrived,  and  for  fiv 


ip 


0  or  six  days  we 


were  witnesses  to  their  strange  yet  solemn  ceremonies. 


h 


"t 


.»^.,.         .^-««...»:«„;«M^ 


I        . 


62 

One  evening,  at  the  close  of  the  feast,  we  were  in- 
formed that  an  Indian,  who  the  fall  previous,  in  a 
drunken  quarrel,  had  killed  one  of  the  sons  of  a  chief  of 
the  Manistee  band,  would  on  the  morrow  deliver  himself 
up  to  suffer  the  penalty  of  his  crime  according  to  the  In- 
dian custom.  We  gave  but  little  credence  to  the  rumor, 
though  the  Indians  seemed  much  excited  ovei-  it.  On 
the  following  day,  hov^ever,  the  rumor  proved  true,  and  I 
witnessed  the  grandest  and  most  thrilling  incident  of 
my  life. 

The  murderer  was  a  Canadian  Indian,  and  had  no 
blood  relatives  among  the  Manistees,  but  had  by  invita- 
tion, returned  with  some  of  the  tribe  from  ]\Ial(len,  where 
they  received  their  annuities  from  the  English  Govern- 
ment, and  falling  in  love  with  a  Manistee  maiden,  had 
married  her  and  settled  among  them,  agi-eeingto  l)ec()me 
one  of  their  tribe.  As  was  customary,  all  his  earnings 
from  hunting  and  trapping  belonged  to  his  fatlier-in-law 
until  the  birth  of  his  first  child,  after  which  he  com- 
manded his  time  and  could  use  his  gains  for  the  benefit 
of  his  family.  At;  the  time  of  the  killing  of  the  chief's 
son  lie  had  several  children  and  was  very  poor,  possess- 
ing nothing  but  his  meagre  wearing  apparel  ai^d  a  few 
traj[)s.  He  was  a  fair  hunter,  but  more  proficient  as  a 
trapper. 

Knowing  that  his  life  would  be  taken  unless  he  could 
ransom  it  with  furs  and  articles  of  value,  after  consulting 
with  his  wife,  he  determined  to  depr.rt  at  night  in  a 
canoe  with  his  family  and  secretly  make  his  way  to  the 
marshes  at  the  headwaters  of  the  Muskegon  River,  where 
he  had  before  trapped  successfully,  and  there  tnideavor 
to  catch   beaver,   mink,   marten,   and   other  fine   furs, 


63 


which  were  usually  abundant,  and  retui-n  in  the  spring 
and  satisfy  the  demands  of  the  chief.  As,  according  to 
the  custom,  if  he  failed  to  satisfy  the  chief  and  family  of 
the  murdered  man,  either  by  ransom  or  a  sacrifice  of  his 
own  hfe,  they  could  demand  of  his  wife's  brothers  what 
he  had  failed  to  give,  he  consulted  with  one  of  them 
and  told  him  of  his  purpose,  and  designated  a  particular 
location  on  the  Muskegon  where  he  could  be  found  if  it 
became  necessary  for  him  to  return,  and  deliver  himself 
up.  Having  completed  his  ari-angements.  he  made  his 
escape  and  arrived  safely  at  the  place  of  destination,  and 
having  but  few  traps  and  but  a  small  sui)ijly  of  ammu- 
nition, he  arranged  dead-fail  traps  in  a  circuit  around 
his  camp,  hoping  with  them  and  his  few  traps  to  have  a 
successful  winter,  and  by  spring  to  secure  enough  to  save 
his  life. 

After  the  burial  of  his  son,  the  chief  took  counsel  with 
his  sons  as  to  what  they  should  do  to  revenge  the  dead, 
and  as  they  knew  the  murderer  was  too  poor  to  pay  their 
demands,  they  determined  upon  his  death,  and  set  about 
finding  him.  Being  disappointed  in  this,  they  made  a 
demand  upon  the  brothers  of  his  wife,  who,  knowing 
that  they  could  not  satisfy  his  claims,  counselled  together 
as  to  what  course  to  pursue,  all  but  one  of  them -believ- 
ing he  had  fled  to  Canada. 

The  younger  brother,  knowing  his  whereabouts,  sent 
word  to  the  chief  that  he  would  go  in  search  of  the  mur- 
derer, and  if  he  failed  to  produce  him  would  himself  give 
his  own  life  in  his  stead.  This  being  acceptable,  withou 
divulging  the  secret  of  bis  brother-in  law's  hiding  place, 
he  started  to  find  him.  It  was  a  long  and  difficult  jour- 
ney, as  he  had  no  landnmrks  to  go  by  and  only  kn.ew 


.1  ; 


■'■* 


\^ 


I  i' 


64 

that  he  should  find  his  brother-in-law  on  the  headwaters 
of  the  Muskegon,  which  he  finally  did. 

The  winter  had  been  one  of  unusually  deep  snow,  and 
the  spring  one  of  great  floods,  which  had  inundated  the 
country  where  he  was.  The  bears  had  kept  in  their 
dens,  and  for  some  reason  the  marten,  beavers,  and 
mink  nad  not  been  found,  so  that  when  their  brother-in- 
law  reached  them  he  and  his  family  were  almost  per- 
ishing from  starvation,  and  his  winter's  hunt  had  proved 
unsuccessful.  They  accordingly  descended  together  to 
the  main  river,  where  the  bi-other  left  them  for  his  re- 
.turn  home,  it  being  agreed  between  them  that  the  mur- 
derer would  himself  report  at  the  mouth  of  Grand  River 
during  the  "Feast  of  the  Dead,"  which  promise  he 
faithfully  })erformed. 

Soon  after  sunrise  the  news  spread  through  the  camp 
that  he  was  coming.  Tiie  chief  hastily  selected  a  spot 
in  a  valley  between  the  sand-hills,  in  which  he  placed 
himself  and  family  in  readines  to  i-eceive  him,  v^hile  we 
traders,  together  with  the  Indians,  sought  the  surround- 
ing sand-hills,  that  we  might  have  a  good  oi)p()rtunity  to 
witness  all  that  sliould  occur.  Presently  we  heard  the 
monotonous  thiimj)  of  the  Indian  drum,  and  soon  there- 
after the  mournful  voice  of  the  Indian,  chanting  his  own 
death  song,  and  tlien  we  beheld  him,  marching  with  his 
wife  and  children,  slowly  and  in  single  file,  to  the  place 
selected  for  his  execution,  still  singing  and  beating  the 
drum.  • 

When  he  reached  a  spot  near  where  sat  the  chief,  he 
placed  tlie  drum  on  the  grcnuid,  and  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren seated  tliemselves  on  mats  wliicli  had  been  prepared 
for  them.     He  then  addressed  the  chief,  saying:     "  I,  in 


li 


66 

a  drunken  moment,  stabbed  your  son,  being  provoked  to 
It  by  his  accusing  me  of  being  a  coward  and  calling  me 
aii  Ola  woman.      I  fled  to  the  marshes  at  the  head  of  the 
Muskegon,  hoping  that  the  Great  Spirit  would  favor  me 
in  the  hunt,  so  that  I  could  pay  you  for  your  lost  son      I 
was  not  successful.      Here  is  the  knife  with  which  I 
killed  your  s.n;  by  it  I  wish  to  die.     Save  my  wife  and 
children.      I  am  done."     The  chief  received  the  knife 
and,  handing  it  to  his  oldest  son,  said,  "Kill  him  "     The 
son  advanced,  and,  placing  his  left  hand  upon  the  shoul- 
der  of  his  victim,  made  two  or  three  feints  with  the  knife 
and  then  plunged  it  into  his  breast  to  the  handle  and 
mimediately  withdrew  it. 

Not  a  murmur  was  heard  from  the  Indian  or  his  wife 
and  children.  Not  a  word  was  spoken  by  those  assembled 
to  witness.  All  nature  was  silent,  broken  only  by  the 
singmg  of  the  birds.  Every  eye  was  turned  upon  the 
victim,  who  stood  motionless  with  his  eyes  firmly  fixed 
upon  his  executioner,  and  calmly  received  the  blow  with- 
out the  appearance  of  the  slightest  tremor.  For  a  few 
moments  he  stood  erect,  the  blood  gushing  from  the 
wound  at  every  pulsation ;  then  his  knees  began  to 
quake  ;  his  eyes  and  face  assumed  an  expression  of  death 
and  he  sank  upon  the  sand.  ' 

During  all  this  time  the  wife  and  children  sat  perfectly 
motionless,  gazing  upon  the  husband  and  father  Not  a 
sigh  or  a  murmur  escaping  their  lips  until  life  was  extinct 
when  they  threw  themselves  upon  his  dead  body,  lying 
in  a  pool  of  blood,  in  grief  and  lamentations,  bringing 
tears  to  the  eyes  of  the  traders,  and  causing  a  murmur  of 
sympathy  to  run  through  the  multitude  of  Indians 
Turning  to  Mr.  Deschamps,  down  whose  clieeks  the 


a    W 


66 

tears  were  trickling,  I  said:  "Why  did  you  not  save 
that  noble  Indian.  A  few  blankets  and  shirts,  and  a 
little  cloth,  would  have  done  it."  ''Oh,  my  boy,"  he 
replied,  ''we  should  have  done  it.  It  was  wrong  and 
thoughtless  in  us.     What  a  scene  we  have  witnessed." 

Still  the  widoAved  wife  and  her  children  were  clinging 
to  the  dead  body  in  useless  tears  and  grief.  The  chief 
and  his  family  sat  motionless  for  fifteen  or  twenty  min- 
utes, evidently  regretting  what  had  been  done.  Then 
he  arose,  approached  the  body,  and  in  a  trembling  voice 
said:  "Woman  stop  weeping.  Your  husband  was  a 
brave  man,  and  like  a  brave,  was  not  afraid  to  die  as  the 
rules  of  our  nation  demanded.  We  adopt  you  and  your 
children  in  the  place  of  my  son  ;  our  lodges  are  open  to 
you ;  live  with  any  of  us  ;  we  will  treat  you  like  our  own 
sons  and  daughters  ;  you  shall  have  our  protection  and 
love."  "'Che-qiil  ocW  (that  is  right),  was  heard  from  the 
assembled  Indians,  and  the  tragedy  was  ended. 

That  scene  is  indelibly  stamped  on  my  mind,  never  to 
be  forgotten. 

After  the  conclusion  of  the  feast,  we  left  in  company 
with  a  large  fleet  of  birch-bark  canoes,  occupied  by  In- 
dians and  their  families,  returning  from  their  winter 
hunting  grounds  to  their  villages  on  the  shore  of  Lake 
Michigan.  A  fair  wind  at  starting  increased  to  a  gale  in 
the  after  part  of  the  day,  and  caused  a  high  sea.  We 
reached  the  Manistee  River,  which  had  a  strong  current, 
in  entering  which,  we  experienced  much  trouble  from  the 
breakers,  and  some  of  the  boats  shipped  considerable 
water,  but  we  all  landed  in  safety.  The  Indians,  how- 
ever, were  not  so  fortunate,  some  of  their  canoes  being 
swamped,   and    several    of    the    women    and    children 


67 
''■•'-vvne,l.    No  assistance  couW  Lc  ..endered  them  though 

1"'  un  mats,    were  saved;     the  Indians    and    SQuavvs 

r;:;Ton.t '""""*'' '° ''-  "^'^'  •™" "-'  ^^ 

wiun   tiorn  turanif?  over.     Otliers  wei'e  saveri   l>„  ti. 
oanoes  that  followed,  and  passed  safelv "n  '  '' 

the  midro^M '''*,*""^"  "'"'""'  '■"'•"'«'•  '"-^'-'  -"ont 
ine  mwdle  of  May,  being  anions-  the  iirst  M  „.,  •      * 

the  Indian  oonnt.y.     (Ither  "outms      .  n  "" 

aftei.    th„  u  t  /       :  *      followed  shortly 

Woods  ""^  '^"'*''  f"'"  «-  I'-ke  of  the 

I  found  letters  from  n,y  n>other  awaiting  me  one  of 
w  noh  am,onnced  the  death  of  n.,  father,  wtiehl"  L, 
»'  »     after  he  reached  Arkansas.      He  was  taken  siet 
while  on  the  circuit.     Having  been  but  n  I„T! 
fiw.  '1^      -A  ,  *^  ^'etju  our  a  short  time  in 

.•-<^o.l  in  Norwich,  Conn.,  and  in  the  folowiig^l 
.skinil  protector  took  hi,i.  to  Middletown,  Conif , Xr 
he  found  friends  and  relatives 

Hannah,   while    my  r^te:  C'C  St; 

Uon,  Conn.;  thus  were  tliose  most  dear  to  me  and 
to  each  other,  cast  upon  the  world  without  home  o'r  pt 
cctor  1  h,s  news  made  me  very  sad,  and  I  determLd 
to  return  and  care  for  my  mother  and  fan  iy  and 
accordingly  tendered  my  resignation,  which  the  Co" 
pany  refused  to  accept.  °'"" 


I 


I 


i 


08 


Al'l(»r  ;i  IVnv  (Inys*  sojourn  I  wns  Hcl.iilrtl  midcr  Mr. 
MjiMIm'Ws  Io  rcct'ivc  mikI  help  coniil  llic  lurw  brounlil  in 
by  Mm*  dilVcrcnl  onlilM.  \n\l  Ihcni  iiilo  pJukH,  niid  get 
tluMU  in  rcjuliiu'ss  loi-  sliipincnt  to  New  York,  wliillicr 


II 


i(>v  \V(>r('  Io  p»  in  ;i   vcss^ 


\  clinrlrrcd  mI  linlVido  foi'  IIimI. 


lunposc.     Tliis   |>;i(kin! 


I'nrs  was   v«'rv  hard  work,  and 


about  one  hundred  nu-n  wcic  d(>lail<Ml  Io  assist  in  it. 
Kach  skin  must  ln>  beaten  to  remove  the  dust  and 
any  moths  thai  miuhl  be  in  it.  The  dilVerenl  (jualities 
were  lht>n  earel'ully  seleeled.  and  each  packed  into  a. 
tiame.  whieb  was  pnl  undei  ;:  press  made  of  strong;-  n|>- 
rigbl  plaid<s,  on  eaeh  sid(>  of  which  wer(>  rour-inch  opeii- 


Uij;s.  and  m  lliese  W(Me 


iilaced  <    i!    St 


anilinir.  which  liHed 


the  spac<0>el  ween  Ihe  to|)  ot  the  pack  and  Ihe  b(>ad  of 
llie  tranuv  Wedp's  wer(>  then  inlfodnced  b(>tween  tho 
scantling- and  lhese(hiven  in  i)y  wooden  mauls,  as  heavy 
as  ont>  man  cotiid  wield,  unlil  tb<>  turs  woidd  compresH 
no  t(nlher.  when  Ihe  pack  was  lirndy  lied  at  ends  and 
ci>ntr(>  with  rawhide  ropes.  A  slave  was  .'illached  to 
(»acb  pack,  uiid(>r  the  ropes,  upon  which  was  mark«Ml  IIih 
nunduT.  The  nunduM*,  (pialily  and  kind  ot  skins  were 
then  coireclly  invoiced.  Work  conunenciMJ  at  live 
o'clock  in  llie  mornin.u' and  lasied  until  sunset,  with  an 


i)dernussum  o 


how 


W(Ml 


r  oni>  hour  at  noon.  My  (hitit>s  di<l  not, 
ev«M-,  «Mid  wilh  suns(>t.  1  had  to  lock  ii])  beforo  I 
t  to  my  supper,  and  after  to  writo  up  tho  accounts 

Inch  othMi  look  until  nii(biight.    This  was 


r  real  bard  work,  and  lasted 


of  the  day.  w 

tlio  conuncncemeni  for  mo  o 

liv(>  or  six  wcndcs. 

Kobort  Sttnvart  luul  charge  of  the  outside  woi-k,  while 
Mr.  Crooks  was  Ihe  gent'nil  director  of  the  aiTairs  of  tlie 
Company.     These  two  giMitienien  were  wholly  unlikt;  in 


m 


('haviw.Uw.     Mr.  (^look 


H    W, 


t<'m|)(«r,  and  govonuvl  nioro  I 


>«  .1,  mild  Miuii,   iviroly  out  of 


oo 


minaiid  (Jian  by  dirl.iii 


y  qui«!t  roaHoningand  mdd 


oil. 


tlioHc  Htoni  Hcotcl 


M 


f.  Movvarf  was  oin-  of 


and 


>'"<'"»  ^vlM»  g.',,vn  bin  (»rd,.rH  abniptlv 
oxp<.t..d  tb.n,  <,b..y.d  to  tb.  l.(,t.,,  y,t  .,  ,„,„  ^^. 
''•  ''".'I  -f  iMunor  and  fond  of  (,„,  If.  }iad  a  fund  of 
aiuH'doU^H  an.l  wan  ,.x<.,II,.nt  <-on.pany.  Tbougb  bo  oft, 
KMVo  unnecvsHary  ord,„H  ;.nd  ro,,uir<Ml  (  V(M-ytbing  io  I 
<b>nn  iMviily  ..|,nd  proinpt.iy,  I 
< belie.  H(5  w, 
tbo  clerkH  kimw  ibat.  I 
the  letter,  but,  tbat  if  tlieir  d 
formed  tb(?y  would 


Am 
bo 


le  w 


mg 
•H  kind   and   Hyiiip.-i- 
iH  (|ni(dc  teM.p,.re.d  and  wbolly  IVarleHH,  and 
iH  ('ornniandH  were  t,o  be  obeyed  to 


nti(>H   wimi  pjoperly  y 


)er 


witli  kiiKhu 


m^eiv,.   Cull  .,,.,iit  an.l  be  treated 


HM  a,n<l  eoiiHideratioi 


,  f"^  ,""*'  '"""•  "•' "  '<"''  «""t  i.M'i.  U,  Hois  Blanc 

that  «„.„„  „l  (,|,„n,  l,a,l  ,,,tu,„ u,„l  ,M„s,,„,.t«l  t,l,at  th„y 

ha,   l,„e„  ™.,t,  for  wliis---      Jj,,  ,,,„,„li„gj.v  oauHe.1  the,,, 
to   b«  wa.d„»l  until   Ins    suspid.mH    w,.r„   continned. 
W  ,«n  tlu.y  «.,„■«  al,„nt  t„  |,„.h  off  f„r  tlioh-  v„Uirn  he 
sn,  ,1..„  y  a|,|,ea.'o,I,  oxprosBh.K  K.-.'at  «nr„riH„  U,  ««,  th.n,. 
What  m  th„  n,atto,-,"  s,ud  h„ ;  ••  l,„.v„  y„„  ,„.t  with 
an  ™;<-"i™t;  are  any  of  you  „iok,  or  what  are  you  here 
tori        Iholmwn.an  n,p]i„,|  that  they  ,van.e  over  to  see 
some  tr.en,lM  an,l  set  tol,a,:ce,  an.l  proceeded  to  n.iHh  the 
.oat  off.     Mr.  Stewart  r„she,l  into  H,e  water  ,.n,l  seia-d 
the  boat  by  its  :,ow  ;  two  of  the  ,m>n  pei^sisted  in  pu»h- 
""«  .t  off,  hut  he  succeeded  in  pnlliuK  the  boat  ashore, 
and  ordered  the  two  men  „p  into  the  yar,l.     CIoHing  the 
Kute,    he  told  then,    they   were    to    be    punished,   and 
they,  beu,g  very  .angry,  used  insulting  language,  which 


tluew  him  into  a  to 


vvernig  rag(!.      Seizing  a  stii'k  ho 


f    I 
I    P 


70 


*i 


knocked  them  both  down,  nearly  kiUinj^  one  of  them. 
Dr.  Beanmont,  the  surgeon  of  the  fort,  ^vas  sent  for, 
who  examined  the  man,  and  pronounced  his  skull 
fractured  and  the  result  doubtful.  Mr.  Stewart  was  in 
great  distress  and  himself  cared  for  the  man  through  the 
night,  and  was  much  relieved  in  his  mind  when  the 
doctor  told  him  in  the  morning  that  he  thought  the  man 
Avould  live,  though  a  slight  increase  in  the  force  of  the 
blow  would  certainly  have  killed  him. 

This  Mr.  Stew^art  was  the  same  man  described  by  Mr. 
Irving  in  his  "Astoria,"  as  having  compelled  the 
captain  of  the  ship  in  which  he  was  sailing  to  tack 
ship  and  return  to  an  island  for  his  uncle,  who  had  gone 
ashore  while  the  vessel  was  becalmed  and  had  acci- 
dentally been  left  there. 

My  good  friend,  John  H.  Kinzie,  resided  in  Mr. 
Stewart's  family,  and  though  much  loved  and  respected, 
was  often  the  victim  of  his  temper  or  humor.  On  one 
occasion,  when  he  had  finished  making  out  a  long  invoice, 
which  he  had  taken  unusual  care  to  write  nicely  and  in 
commercial  shape,  and  supposed  he  would  be  highly 
complimented  on  its  production,  delivered  it  to  Mr. 
Stewart,  who  carefully  looked  it  over,  sheet  after  sheet, 
and  on  the  very  last  page  discovered  a  blot  and  a  figure 
erased  and  rewritten.  Pointing  to  them  with  a  ^-  .owl,  he 
said,  "  Do  you  call  this  well  done  i  Go  and  do  it  over  " ; 
and  he  tore  it  into  fragments.  Poor  John  was  sorely 
mortified,  but  was  consoled  by  Mrs  Stewart,  who  had 
been  instructed  to  do  so  by  her  husband,  and  proceeded 
to  rewrite  his  invoice,  satisfied  either  of  his  own  imper- 
fections, or  of  the  disagreeable  teni[)er  of  his  master. 

At  another  time,  an  old  voi/ageur  who  perf^'-med  the 


71 

duties  of  a  house-servant  for  Mr.  Stewart,  complained  to 
mm  that  John  xvas  impertinent  to  him,  ordering  him  to 
do  thmgs  instead  of  p<,litely  asking  him  to,  and  said  that 
at  times  he  was  tempted  to  strike  him.     -  You  are  right 
old  man  "  said  Mr.  Stewart.     '<  The  boy  is  foohsh  ;  he 
should  always  treat  an  old  man  with  respect ;  give  him 
a  good  thrashing  the  next  time  he  insults  you  ;  if  you  do 
not  I  shall  have  to.     Can  you  whip  him  in  a  fair  fight  ?" 
Yes,  sn-r  was  the  reply.     -  Then  do  so  ;  but  be  sure 
you  strike  him  with  nothing  but  your  fist."     When 
John  came  to  dinner  he  told  him  to  order  the  old  man  to 
shovel  the  snow  from   a  little  yard  in  front  of  Mrs. 
Stewart  s  window.    ''  Make  him  do  it  at  once,  and  stand 
over  him  until  it  is  done."    The  old  man  was  busy  saw. 
ing  wood  in  a  shed  when  John  started  to  give  him  orders 
As  soon  as  John  was  out  of  the  way,  Mr.  Stewart  slipped 
into  another  room  to  a  window  to  see  the  fun      John 
approached  the  old  man,  saying,   "Old  man,  you  have 
wood  enough  sawed  ;  get  the  snow-shovel  and  clean  away 
the  snow  from  the  httle  yard."    The  old  man  made  no 
reply,  but  placed'his  thumb  to  his  nose  and  made  an  ex- 
pressive movement   with  his  fingers.     "Did  you  hear 
me?"     -Yes."     "  Why  don't  you  mind  ?"     -J,^  one  of 
your  business  ;  you  wait  till  I  get  ready."     -Ready  or 
not,  you  have  got  to  clean  away  the  snow  right  off" 
;  Who  will  make  me  r     -  I,"  said  John,  and,   advanc- 
nig,   rather  unceremoniously  put   his  hand  on  the  old 
man's  shoulder,  who  resented  by  a  blow  on  the  nose  that 
started  the  blood.     They  fought  for  some  time,  to  the 
great  enjoyment  of  Mr.  Stewart,  and  the  lesson  was  not 
wholly  lost  either  on  John  or  the  other  clerks. 
One  evening  when  a  number  of  clerks  were  sittin-  on 


!  k 


11 


I 


i 


i 


i  , 


1 


if 


'    'I 


t 


72 

the  stoop  just  after  tc;  Jean  Baptiste  Beanbien  came 
along  boasting  of  bis  fast  running.  Mr.  Stewart  bad 
slipped  up  behind  us  unperceived  u-k)  iieaul  Beaubien's 
boasting,  and  said  1  can  beat  you  la  a  race  from  the 
store  to  the  cooper  shop  (about  tlie  distance  of  a  block). 
"No,  you  can't,"  said  Beaubien.  "I  will  bet  you  a 
boot  I  can,"  said  Stewart.  "  Done  ;  come  on,"  said  Beau- 
bien. So  they  took  their  stations  and  started.  Mr. 
Stewart  stopped  about  half-way,  with  Beaubien  about  a 
rod  ahead  ;  and,  corning  to  the  platform,  said,  "  I'll  pay 
the  boot ;  but  what  will  you  do  with  only  one  boot  f 
Beaubien  insisted  that  he  was  to  have  a  pair,  but  on  re- 
ferring the  matter  to  the  parties,  they  decided  the  bet 
was  for  one  only.  ''  Now,"  said  Mr.  Stewart,  "  we  will 
flip  up  a  dollar  to  see  whether  it  shall  be  a  pair  or  none. 
Here  is  a  dollar.  Now,  sir;  heads  I  win,  tails  you 
lose.  Three  flips?"  "Yes."  It  was  head.  "  Oh,  heads 
I  win."  Next  time  it  turns  tails.  "  Oh,  tails  you  lose.' ' 
"Yes,  yes,"  says  Beaubien.  Th.-ows  again,  and  this 
time  heads.  "Heads  I  win,  Mr.  Beaubien."  "How 
the  d — 1 ;  I  lose  the  head,  I  lose  the  tail ;  by  gar,  you 
make  me  lose  all  the  time";  and,  amid  a  roar  of 
laughter,  Mr.  Stewart  made  his  exit. 

This  Beaubien  had  some  education,  could  read  and 
write,  and  was  very  proud  of  his  accomplishments.  Com- 
ing into  the  office  one  morning  about  daylight  he  said  to 
the  bookkeeper,  "Mr.  Bookkeeper,  I  write  v  ry  fine, 
and  I  make  pretty  figures. "  * '  Is  that  so  ?  Well,  help  me  a 
little;  put  down  on  that  paper,  one;  now  put  down  two; 
there,  that's  all;  now  add  them  together."  After  some 
reflection  he  announced  the  result  as  three.  ' '  Now, "  said 
the  bookkeeper,  "  put  down  two;  now  one;  add  them  to- 


78 

gether."    After  pondering  over  it  for  a  time  Beaubien 
looked  up  with  a  radiant  countenance  and  exclaimed, 
By  gar  he  all  make  three."  and  went  off  pi  .foundly 
impressed    with  his  o^n  learnin.   and   pr<.fi.i.ncy  in- 
math<'matics. 


^,^Y^I0mmmmmmm 


iMmm<iii»r*mMsii0ii*i 


KISIIlNd   IN   Ml  MKKOnN   l,\KK       A   MONTI!  Ol"  S(  H.irrKK       l,.>sr 
IN     A    SN(»\V    MI'OKM       Kl    \l'll    n|'    Id   I  KAIN, 

I  mii|)|)(im(mI  I  mIioiiM  Im>  .'i^.'iiii  <l<<t:ij|i<(l  Id  IIio  IIIJiioiM 
river  "  ltri}^;i(l(>"  uilli  iiiv  old  li'.idri.  Mr.  I  )('M('hMni|»M, 
.iiul  WMM  iiiiK'h  sui|uiM('(l  Mild  ^rit>V(>(l,  wlicii  (li(>  (iiii(> 
Mirivrd  (t>  srlccl  piods  Miid  ni;iki>  rciidy  I'or  our  d(>|>.'irliir(>, 
to  i(M'(M\(»  oiH'  rvciiiiij;' a  smimioiiM  ri'oin  Mr.  ( '|(k»|<h  to 
Mi(>(<l  liini  al  liJM  |>riv,'ilt>  oIVk-c,  wlirii  I  was  jiif'onii(<d  lliai 
I  was  nol  to  i;o  ((>  mv  ttld  po^l.  Iml,  in  (•oinpany  vvilli  a, 
Froncliiuaii  named  .lacciiics  hiirraiii,  laU(>  cliar-^t'  ol'  an 
onllil  on  lilt'  Miisk»'p)n  Ivivcr,  DiilVain  roiild  iirjMior 
road  iu»r  wrilc.  hnl  had  a  laip>  cNpiMicncc  ainonj.;  Hid 
Indian-ion  lli(>  rcninsnia  «d'  Midii^an,  and  I  was  lo  In* 
ptvta-iu'd  hv  liis  advic»>  ni  Irading. 

I  waslold  Ihal  Ihc  invtHcew  would  lio  diicclcd  1<>  me, 
and  llial  I  was  lo  lie  llic  (•onimaiidor  of  llio  ('X|>t'dilion, 
aixl  nnlVain  simply  my  adviser,  and  liicn  I  was  nol  lo 
allow  liis  advice  lo  jL;ov(>rn  ine  wIkmi  il  dilVered  materially 
wilh  my  own  views.  Mr.  <  "rooks  also  told  me  liiai 
Jhonj;h  I  was  yonni;and  iiie\|)eriene(>d,  lit*  was  eonrKhMit 
that  wilh  Ontrain's  honesty  and  acqnain!ane(>  with  lUo 
linlians.    I    wonid    hav(>  no  diniciilly   in  ctMidiielinj.:;   th(» 

venlnre;  Ihe  onllil  wonid  he  small,  and  we  were  to  f;()  in 

(  Mi 


7n 


Mt      h."Kr||;irnpM'     "|„Wi(lo"    |(,    II 


'"P'll  (»!•  Mill,   JIM   W,'  (III 


K'  iiioiiMi  mC  ||i<<  Mii^ 


»H<'.        nill    IH';M|(|l|)|||..rH 


Tl 

ll.'lll 


iiM'Mixf.v  iiiJh'M  ii|>  Mm.  livi-r 
liM  w/iM,  iii,j..r,l.  ;,   |,i||,.,.  ,liM,i|.|M,in|,in..|it,  1 


W(M'<'  In  ho 


rnmilrd    voiy  iiiiicl 


O    IIIO 


.•iH  r 


'"•■    WllMllI     I     ||M«|    I'oniHMl 


I    oil   Hcnili^    Mr,   Kiii/io'H    r;iMiJI' 


'••  Ki'«'Ht  iit.<,urliUH-ii(,, 


lio 


P-'l  '■<'••   Mr.  l)..H(«ln„M|.H'   iM.nnJHMi.m  In  h(.,.,m| 


himI    IijmI 


Miivp  vv«'(.|<M  Willi  Ihi.ni  ,1,11(1  M 


Ivv 


(»  (ir 


H'ol'li 


Mini   Midi  ^(»  niotic  ;|||(| 


''«'iH(»r  {•'oil,  |)(./irlHUII 


'l-l<lill^^||(,||H(<.     AlldlM-HidcH.  I  li;i(||(.n 


|«'lll  my  r(Mll|iMlli(>|IH  ;||,  |{(.;i,in 


('.'III 


.•i<'  Mr.  Kiii/,i(*'H  In  I 

r^imii.     Hill.  .IH  tlici 

u\y  j;(hmIh  Willi  SI  food  ^nu 

()«"|(,Im.|\  Ih|!».  Hlur|,(.,i  wiMi  Mi,.  ||| 

HPCOIld   llij.  |(,  11,,.   |||,|i„„  CHIIilrv 


HoiiKMd'rny  clolliiii^ 


"•  ivj.aiicd  .'ind   pill,  ill  ,,n|,.f  |,y  ,„y 

n  wa.s  iio,,Mi(.,„||,,.,.„„|,iv,.^  I  ,.,,c,.iv«M| 

•''  ••"»•'  •••'"Hit  MiM  iiiiddjc  or 


IIIOIH 


ll 


riK-'idc"  on  my 


W 


•'    ••""('"'I     Ml"    lilHi    IliKlll.    .ll,     I'oinI,     VV/lir.-IMl 


HOOl 


"•"'•"  •••'"••nii<'<l  wind  lioiiiid  ('oil,li(.H|./ic(.  of 
"i<'i<'fill.'r  ic(i,||,.d  Ml,.  jjiM,,  'I' 
I'liiij''^  ndviH,.(|  III,.  I,,  si,,,,,  ,,,„i   J,,,,.,., 


Ui'^Uvu:  iuu\ 


;iid 


.'I    W('(«| 


|)(v^c| 
niid 


IVIVCIKC. 


If 


('(•(' 


M 


SOIIK. 


hid 


inH(>  my  ,!uiion 


i.'iii  (■( 


('<><•(,    of      Ml,.    |,.|y,      w 

Mriil    my  .•iHK(H;i;i|,,.  I,, 


•rii.      Al.oiil,  l.cM  i,,i|,.s  ,liHi;i,ii|,,  id  Mh. 
•IH  .'III   liidi.iM   vill.^.(.,  ;,„d  MiiMior    I 


.'iri(>r 


o  m;il<(!  Ml,.  iH'ccHs.'iry  |)||,cIuih(. 


iii.'il»Hciic(.or  l,W(.  d.iyH  ho  iclnn„.,|  will 


.'ind 


Io.'kNkI  Willi  liidi; 


Homchc.'in.sroroiir  wiiilcr'Msi 


tiiH,  ;iiid  ,'ihoiil,  oi^hl,  hiiHhcJKor 


I  ii  r.inoo 
<'oiii  .'iiid 


IH'CH. 


11, 


lllll    .'ill    w 


('    <-oi||(| 


VV,'l,s;i,Hm.'|,llHI|JiJ)|y, 


rr.'Mly  to  |,.;ivc  on  Mi,>  folNiwin^^  i 


K<'',    .•iimI    h.'iving  p,'ii,i    r,,|-  i|, 


W((   ^(tt 


VVI 


iioriiinj.;. 


.Mil 


"'"    'ii«»rniii;4    ••.•line    we    r„i,nd    Iho    wind    blu 


oii^  rroiii  Mi(>  noilhcjiHl,,  ;iri 


W(>sl,  .111(1  vv(^s|,,  ;ind  i\n-  l,cn  d.ivH  hi 


N 


ovcmhci-   h.-iii   coiiK!   hcfoi 


Wing 

<!rvv.'i,r(lH('li;i,n^MnKl(»iioiMi- 

ovviiiK  .'I  K''i'"  HO  that 


"  vv(!  h.id    Ht;irl,('d.      We    lolfc 


''"'••"■<'  *Im'  hcivy  s,vi,  h.id  snhHidcd,  .•ind    wJM 


gr(;at 


.'I  nor 


htoi'ilHiiMiiHimw 


76 


1 1  ii 


\i     H 


h ' 


iM  i 


(thftre  being  but  thi-ee  men  to  row  the  boat)  reached 
Grand  Travei-se,  where  we  were  again  detained  five  or  six 
days  by  adverse  winds;  another  start,  more  heavy  sea, 
and  Calp  River  was  reached,  where  we  were  again  wind- 
bound  for  several  days. 

Thus,  with  a  heavily  laden  canoe  and  adverse  winds, 
often  in  great  peril,  sometimes  shipping  water  and  nar- 
rowly escaping  wreck,  sufifering  from  cold,  and  worn 
with  toil,  we  entered  the  Muskegon  River  about  the  tenth 
of  December  and  found  the  lake  froijen.  The  weather 
was  very  cold,  and  the  coast  Indians  had  all  left  for  their 
hunting  grounds  in  the  interior. 

Dufrain  said  it  would  be  impossible  to  reach  our  desti- 
nation, and  recommended  the  repairing  of  an  old  aban- 
doned trading  house  at  a  point  of  tho  lake  about  one  and 
one  half  miles  distant  and  there  make  our  winter 
quarters.  This  we  decided  to  do,  though  it  would  be  very 
inconvenient,  being  from  thirty  to  fifty  miles  distant 
from  the  Indian  hunting  grounds,  where  we  should  be 
compelled  to  go  to  trade.  By  breaking  ice  ahead  of  our 
boat  we  reached  the  place,  and  went  industriously  to 
work  to  repair  the  house  and  make  it  tenan table. 

We  had  not  seen  an  Indian  for  fifteen  or  twenty  days, 
and  as  it  was  necessary  to  reach  them,  and  let  them 
know  where  we  had  located,  we  decided  to  send  an  ex- 
pedition in  search  of  them  at  once.  Accordingly  we 
made  up  an  assortment  of  goods  into  three  packages  of 
about  sixty  pounds  each,  which,  with  a  blanket  apiece, 
were  to  be  carried  by  Jacques  and  the  two  voyagers  who 
constituted  our  force;  and  on  a  bright  December  morning 
they  bade  me  good-bye  and  started  on  their  journey. 

As  Jacques  was  perfectly  familiar  with  the  country, 


77 

I  did  not  look  forward  to  along  absence,  and  was  content 
to  remain  alone.  My  stock  of  provisions  consisted  of  the 
corn  and  a  small  quantity  of  flour,  which  we  had  brought 
from  Mackinaw,  and  as  I  had  my  gun  to  dei)end  on  I 
thought  I  should  have  no  difficulty  in  procuring  all  the 
meat  I  desired. 

Dufrain  had  told  me  that  I  should  find  no  game,  but 
this  I  did  not  believe.     I  confined  my  hunting  trips'  to  a 
mile  or  so  of  Hie  house,  never  daring  to  go  out  of  sight 
of  it,  and  for  a  week  found  rabbits  and  squirrels  in  suf- 
ficient numbers  to  supply  me  with  food.     Tlien  came  a 
heavy  fall  of  snow  and  for  several  days  I  could   find 
nothing  to  shoot,  and  as  the  work  of  walking  in  two  feet 
of  snow  was  very  laborious  and  I  expected  Dufrain  to 
return  very  soon,  I  concluded  to  i-emain  in  doors,  keep  up 
a  good  fire,  and  content  myself  with   corn.      1  had,  I 
think,  three  book' ,  which  helped  me  to  while  away  the 
time. 

We  had  found  in  tiie  lake  a  drowned  deer  which  we 
had  skinned,  and  this  skin  dried  furnished  me  with  a  mat 
upon  which  to  lie  in  front  of  the  fire.     The  fireplace  was 
broad,  some  three  or  four  feet,  and  very  deep,  and  so 
took  in  large  logs  that  made  a  warm,  cheerful  fire.    The 
timber  under  the  hill,  around  the  house,  had  all  been  cut 
off  by  its  former  occupants,  and  procuring  wood  was  a 
serious  problem.     Through  the  deep  snow  from  the  top 
of  the  hill  I  was  obliged  to  carry  it,  and  for  days  I 
labored  all  the  moi-ning  in  getting  my  day's  supply  of 
fuel.     The  snow  being  so  deep  I  could  not  haul  or  roll  it 
down  the  hill,  I  set  about  devising  some  way  to  over- 
come the  difficulty,  and  the  idea  of  using  the  deer  skin 
in  some  way  for  a  sled  presented  itself  to  my  mind.     As 


III 


78 

it  was  not  long  enough  to  take  on  the  four-foot  logs  I 
cut  them  three  feet  only,  and  having  soaked  the  skin  to 
make  it  pliable,  I  laid  a  log  on  it,  and  tied  up  the  sides 
of  the  skin  around  it  with  a  grape  vine,  and  found  I  had 
a  pretty  fair  sled.  My  down-hill  path  soon  became  hard 
and  smooth,  and  extended  to  the  door  of  the  house,  and 
my  load  would  frequently  slide  down  to  the  bottom  with 
me  astride  of  it. 

In  a  Book  of  Travels  in  the  Northwest,  which  I  had 
read,  the  author  described  fhe  manner  in  which  some 
tribes  of  Indians  caught  large  fish  during  the  winter. 
A  hole  was  cut  in  the  ice,  over  which  a  small  shelter  was 
built  sufficiently  large  for  one  person  to  sit  in,  and  made 
as  dark  as  possible.  The  occupant  then  stationed  him- 
self with  a  spear  in  his  left  hand  and  a  small  W(K)denfish 
attached  to  a  string  in  his  right ;  the  imitation  fish  being 
jerked  up  and  down  in  the  water  attracted  the  larger 
ones,  and  they  were  easily  speared. 

I  thought  that  what  an  Indian  could  do  in  that  line,  I 
could,  and  set  about  making  my  preparations.  I  whittled 
out  a  stick  into  the  shape  of  a  fish,  shaping  it  as  artis- 
tically as  I  could,  and  colored  it  by  searing  with  a  hot 
iron.  In  an  excavation  made  for  the  purpose  I  poured 
melted  lead  to  sink  it,  and  after  having  placed  in  the 
head  beads  for  eyes  I  had  quite  a  natural  looking  fish, 
about  four  inches  in  length.  Placing  my  spear  head  on 
a  handle,  I  marched  with  them  to  the  middle  of  Muske- 
gon Lake,  cut  a  hole  in  the  ice,  and  erected  a  shelter  by 
sticking  poles  in  the  ice  and  stretching  a  blanket  over 
them.  Everything  being  in  readiness,  I  crawled  into 
the  hut,  and  lying  flat  on  the  ice  dropped  my  "little 
pet"— as  I  called  my  little  fish— and  anxiously  awaited 


79 


the  result.  I  was  soon  gratified  by  the  appearance  of  a 
large  fish  that  made  a  dart  at  my  decoy.  I  hurled  my 
spear  at  him,  and-missed.  And  thus  every  few  min- 
utes for  more  than  two  hours  I  repeated  the  operation 
with  the  same  results,  when,  mortified  and  angry,  I 
returned,  cold  and  hungry,  to  my  solitary  home  ami 
made  a  dinner  of  corn. 

Brooding  over  my  ill  hick  and  awkwardness  and 
almost  discouraged,  I  concluded  that  "  piactice  would 
make  perfect,"  und  that  I  would  trv  again  on  the  follow- 
ing day,  which  I  did,  and  after  an  hour  or  so  of  unre- 
warde<l  effort  I  succeeded  in  catching  a  large  lake  trout, 
with  which  I  returned  to  my  house  and  soon  had  boil- 
ing m  my  camp  kettle  ;  and  never  befoi-e  or  since  did 
fish  taste  so  good.  After  that  I  had  no  trouble  in  takino- 
all  tlie  fish  I  wanted. 

Eveiy  night  a  wolf  came  and  devoured  the  remnants 
of  l*ie  fish  J  had  thrown  out.  I  couhl  see  him  through 
the  cracks  of  my  house,  and  could  easily  have  shot  him, 
but  he,  wm  my  only  companion,  and  I  laid  awake  at 
night  'dwi^mt^  his  coming. 

Thus  I  lived  for  thirty  long,  dreary,  winter  days,  soli- 
tary and  alone,  never  once  during  that  time  seeing  a 
human  being,  and  devoured  with  anxiety  as  to  the  fate 
of  Dufrain  and  his  men.  whom  I  feared  had  met  wi.h 
some  serious  mishap,  if,'  indeed,  they  ha<l  not  been  mur- 
dered. My  anxiety  for  the  last  two  weeks  had  been 
most  intense,  and  at  times  I  was  almost  crazy.  I  could 
not  leave  my  goods,  and  knew  not  what  I  »tK,uld  do. 

I  looked  upon  the  expedition  a**  woi«e  than  a  failure, 
and  my  first  management  of  a  trading  houKe  as  a  dis- 
astrous one.    I  tliought  that,  should  I  live  to  return  to 


1' 


!   4 


80 

Mnckin.iw,  T  should  he  .in  ohjcct  of  lidiculi' among  tho 
traders,  and  have  iiu-urrcd  1  ho  lastinj;  (lisi)l('asiiro  of  my 
cMiploycrs,  and  this  was  to  he  th«'  end  of  all  my  hright 
aiiticii)a.tions  for  the  fulmv.  Oh.  that  1  had  hoeii  p(M'- 
niilicd  to  apiin  acconipanv  Mr.  Deschanips  and  join  my 
old  coinpaiiions  ai  Bccbeau's  trading  liouso. 

iMy  joy  can  he  helter  imagined  than  des(;rihed  when, 
one  moining.  I  discov  •  ed  a  party  of  m(Mi  attlui  head  of 
the  lak(>  coming  toward  me  I  sn|)posi>(l  them  to  Ixi 
Indians,  hnt  was  soon  rejoice<l  1o  recogni/e  among  them 
DulVaiii  and  his  (wo  con4)aiiions.  Having  disi)osed  of 
all  (heir  goods,  and  been  successful  in  theii-  trading,  theiy 
had  secui'cd  a  large  nund)er  of  furs,  and  with  the  assist- 
ance of  Indians,  whom  they  had  hiic'd  and  e(|ui|)ped  in 
snow  shoes,  they  had  carried  (heni  on  their  hacks.  At 
(he  sight  of  the  rich  treasures  they  mdoaded  all  my 
gloomy  anticipations  lied,  and  joy  and  .satisfaction 
rcMgned  in  t  heir  stead. 

Tlu>  expedition  had  Iteen  one  of  great  succ(>ss  ;  the 
goods  had  all  Ihmmi  (lisi»os(><I  of,  and  in  theii"  pla(;(>  they 
brought  th(>  thiest  and  richest  of  furs— marten,  beaver, 
hear,  lynx,  fox,  otter,  antl  mink  making  u})  their  collec- 
tion, 

Dufrain  had  a  long  account  to  giv(»  of  trials,  disap- 
l)ointmen(s,  and  pei'sevei'ance.  H(3  was  ten  days  in  find- 
ing the  first  band  of  Indians,  and  these  had  already  l)eeii 
visited  by  an  oi)i)osition  trad(M',  wlio  cleared  the  camp  of 
all  the  valuable  furs  and  told  the  Indians  that  no  trader 
would  come  to  Muskegon.  The  Indians  regretted  his 
late  ari'ival,  as  he  was  a  great  favorite  with  them. 

Though  in  their  progress  thus  far  they  had  suffered 
greatly  from  want  of  provisions,  and  had  progressed  but 


I 


81 

■slowly  and  with  groat  fatigue  ,,wing  to  tho  d«,,tl,  of  the 

Hnow,  tl,,.y  „„o,-,ni„.„  to  puHh  on  to  other  can.  ,s  an.,  .lis 

-oof    h..r  g,x..,.si.ef.,re  the  other  tra,lor  sh.,;„.l  reach 

"->"■     ll.y.Mg  ,.rovi.l.,.l  hin,self  an.l  party  with  „ro- 

v.s..,„„  ,,„,  snow-shoes,  Dufrain  ,les„atche<I  an  Indian  to 

J."  to  tell  ,„e  „t  h,s  n,.,ve„,ents,  an,l  that  he  shonl.l  be 

«»....  twenty  .layn  longer,  an.l  Mtart.,d  on  his  w.ay      We 

.;ttt.rwa,..lH  l.«,,rn.,d  that  after  a  half-.lay'H  travel  th.Wn.lian 

;:;;'';;r'' '"; '""V'"'' --™"i '»it...-.=tnrntoti,..,.a, 

.•"<llM,«  I  was  left  in  ignorance  of  Dnfrain's  „,oven,en4 
A  I  was  .|.,y  that  nigh*  in  ,n,v  little  ho„s,.hold,  the  n„.n 

'"^  "  .onn  ilnlly  on  eorn  son,, a„,l  Hsh  an.l  listen,.!  to  the 
'■'■<'il«l  of  th..  in.*l.,nts  of  (hj.ir  tri|, 

A„.,tl,ertripwas.l„ei,|e,|ontogototl,e,.a of  some 

''''i';"-l-l,,,,lh,.ar,l,,f.  ,,,,tn.>tse,.n,andwi;ovve,.ei' 

'"""'"'  '■l"H'i"K,a...lha,lanaI laneeof  f„rs    ,Vs  time 

was  y,.ry  pr,.eions,  tl...  Collowing  day   was  ,l..v.,t,.,l  to 

-  -ting  an.  paek.ng  g Is  and  n.aking  pr.„aralio„s  f.,r 

"";•*"■'■•     '  'I'"  "■.■.I  to  go  with  this  ..xp.,,liti.,n,  though 

"";■",'"  '•'■' «"■'"■'"' ''  '"I'l  ""•  1  .»nl.l  not  stand  the 

'..•"•.lHlui>s  or  the  .,-.,„rney:  that  having  never  travele.l  o„ 
,,w  s.,..  1  w.,nld  have  the  ,„„,/  , ,„„,,,  „,  ,„„.„„,^ 

'"'*••'"'  "'.""  ''"^^""  """":  l'"t  t.,  n,y  nnnd  anything 
Ijo'.M  IH.  e,^.er  e„.hn-e.l  than  another  nmnth  of  such  sol 
.tu.Ie  .as  I  had  jnst  ,,ass..d  through,  an.l  mal  dn  r„n„ette 

;:;;;;;*;;:'"  ""'''■  """"■«■ '" ""  •■ -■'■"  -».  what  i  lu., 

On  the  foll.,wing  n.orning  w..  ,lepart.,.l,  leaving  one 
-|"  .n  .-harge  of  the  house.  Th.,ugh  n,y  pack  watonly 
hall  as  heavy  as  the  ,.,h„rs,  the  day  was  one  of  untold 
nnsery  to  n,e,  never  having  w.alk.Hl  in  snow-shoes  before 


K  f 


iU 


s 


I 


t         -i 


82 

The  day  was  clear  and  cold,  the  country  rough  nnd  hilly 
and  covered  with  underbrush,  and  every  few  minutes  I 
tripped  and  fell.,  and  usually  landed  at  full  length  and 
buried  ray  face  in  the  snow,  from  which  I  could  not  arise 
without  assistance  from  the  others.  By  noon  I  was  com- 
pletely exhausted,  and  my  load  was  carried  by  one  of  the  , 
others;  and  though  we  had  made  an  early  start,  when  we 
camped  at  night  we  had  traveled  only  about  six  miles. 

Then  came  the  preparations  for  thu  night's  rest.  The 
snow  was  about  two  feet  deep,  and  shelter  we  had  none. 
A  place  was  selected  by  the  side  of  a  large  fallen  tree,  the 
snow  was  scraped  from  the  ground,  and  a  place  cleared  of 
about  six  feet  by  ten,  dry  .^md  green  wood  cut  and  piled 
up  to  the  windward  of  the  log,  and  a  fire  struck  with  flint 
and  steel.  Hemlock  boughs  were  cut  for  bedding,  and 
these  covered  with  a  blanket,  to  keep  them  down  and  in 
place;  then  the  packs  were  placed  at  one  end  to  protect 
our  heads  from  the  wirid,  and  our  beds  were  complete. 
During  our  march  we  had  killed  two  porcupines,  and 
these  were  dressed  and  toasted  on  sticks,  and  with  our 
pounded  parched  corn  made  a  very  delicious  supper.  And 
as  we  had  eaten  iiothing  since  early  morning  good  appe- 
tites gave  additional  zest  to  the  repast. 

After  supper,  a  smoke,  and  then  to  bed,  all  lying 
together  on  the  hemlock  beds,  covered  with  the  two 
remaining  blankets,  with  our  feet  to  the  fire,  which  we 
replenished  through  the  night.  I  slept  but  little,  being 
kept  awake  by  the  aching  of  my  legs,  the  muscles  of 
which  were  badly  swollen. 

Before  day  all  were  up,  and  breakfast  was  made  from 
the  remnants  of  the  previous  night' s  supper,  and  by  the 
time  it  was  light  we  were  ready  to  resume  our  journey. 


88 

I  ^v^s  so  stiff  and  lame  that  I  could  scarcely  walk,  and 
Dufram  advised  me  to  return,  he  offering  to  go  part  way 
with  me,  and  there  meet  the  other  man,  whom  I  should 
send  from  the  house.     I  at  first  thought  I  would  do  so, 
but  the  recollection  of  the  lonely  month  of  anxiety  I  had 
passed  there  soon  determined   me  to  go  on  with  the 
party,  and  all  Dufrain's  arguments  failed  to  change  my 
purpose.      Every  step  caused  me  suffering,   but  as  I 
warmed  up  the  pain  by  degrees  left  me.      1  had  caughi 
the  knank  of  throwing  out  the  heels  of  my  snow-shoes 
by  a  slight  turn  of  the  foot,  and  my  falls  were  less  fre- 
quent and  when  we  camped  at  uight  we  estimated  that 
we  had  made  during  the  day  about  three  leagues  or  nin,. 
miles. 

During  the  day  we  had  cut  from  a  hollow  tree  two 
rabbits,  and  these  with  corn  furnished  our  supper      Our 
camp  was  made  as  on  the   previous  night.      In  th. 
mornmg  we  consumed  the  remainder  of  our  stock  o^ 
corn,  as  we  expected  to  reach  an  Indian  camp  bv  night 
and  made  our  usual  early  start. 

Snow  soon  commenced  falling,  and  continued  hard  all 
day,  and  as  the  weather  had  moderated  the  snow  stuck 
to  our  shoes,  making  them  heavy  and  the  walking  ver^ 
tiresome  ;  we  failed  to  find  the  Indians,  and  camped  fo, 
the  night  with  nothing  to  eat.     The  muscles  of  my  toes 
were  very  sore,  and  on  removing  my  moccasins  and 
neips,  I  found  my  feet  nmch  swollen,  and  at  th.  tops 
where  the  strap  that  held  my  snow-shoes  was  fastened 
they    were  red  and  bruised,    sure  signs  of    -  mal  dn 
raquette^^^     The  morning  found  me  in  a  sad  condition 
the  swelling  much  increased,  and  the  tops  of  my  feet  s<. 
sore  that  i  could  not  bear  my  snow-shoes  without  great 


84 


I  J 


pain;  still,  on  we  went,  I  hobbling  along  as  best  I  could. 
The  snow  still  fell,  and  about  noon  we  reached  the 
Indian  camp,  and  were  provided  with  dinner  by  a 
squaw,  and  did  ample  justice  to  the  bear  meat  and  corn 
soup  which  she  provided. 

In  the  evening  the  Indians  returned  from  hunting 
and  trapping,  bringing  a  good  supply  of  furs,  and  the 
following  forenoon  was  employed  by  them  i  i  celling 
their  furs,  and  settling  with  Dufrain  for  the  goods  ne  had 
sold  to  them  on  a  previous  trip.  We  remained  in  this 
camp  five  days,  and  I  was  very  kindly  treated.  The  old 
squaw  poulticed  my  feet  with  herbs,  and  for  two  days  I 
practiced  every  hour  or  so  on  my  snow-shoes,  so  that 
when  we  left  these  hospitable  people  I  felt  well  and 
strong,  and  had  no  trouble  in  keeping  up  with  the 
others,  nor  was  I  tired  at  night.  We  camped  in  the 
usual  manner,  having  made  fifteen  miles  that  day. 

Just  at  dark  of  the  next  day,  as  we  were  preparing 
our  camp,  we  heard  the  bark  of  a  dog,  and  knew  the 
Indians  were  near;  taking  up  our  march,  we  soon 
reached  their  camp,  where  we  remained  for  two  days. 
A  grand  feast  was  prepared  by  the  Indians,  partly  in 
honor  of  our  visit,  at  which  all  the  meat  and  broth  set 
before  us  must  be  eaten,  and  the  bones  saved  and  buried 
with  appropriate  ceremonies,  as  an  offering  to  the  Great 
Spirit,  that  he  might  favor  them  in  the  hunt.  The  offer- 
ing was  a  fat  bear,  over  which  a  great  pow-wow  was 
first  hau  by  all  the  inmates  of  the  lodges,  after  which  it 
was  carefully  skinned,  cut  into  small  pieces,  and  put  into 
the  kettle  in  the  presence  of  all. 

During  the  cooking,  speeches  were  made  by  some  of 
the  older  Indians  invoking  the  aid  of  the  Great  Spirit, 


8S 

and  when  cooked  H-e  meat  was  carefully  removed  from 
the  kettles  and  distributed  in  wooden  bowls  to  each  ind" 
vidua  present  in  such  quantities.as  their  age  and  capacity 
foeatmg  would  seem  to  warrant,  and  all  receive  their 
just  proportion.  Then  the  oil  was  skimmed  off  and  it 
and  the  broth  divided  in  a  like  manner;  a  hlngj 
.-as    e livered  by  the  head  of  the  lodge,  asking  the  Good 

anTfr  ef        ;  '"      "  *""  '""  """"^  «>em  well 

and  fiee  from  harm ;  and  then  the  eating  commenced. 

ai  ln7         7^'  ^"''"  ""^  ^  '"'-S^''  P°'-«°»  than  mv 
age  and  capacity  demanded,  but  Dufrain  told  me  ihat'l 

mus    eat  all  the  meat  and  drink  all  the  oil  and  broth 
and  leave  the  bones  in  my  bowl ;  that  a  failure  to  do  so 
would  be  considered  an  insult  to  the  Indians  and  an 
offense  to  the  Great  Spirit.     "  But,-  I  said,  •'  they  hate 
given  me  more  than  the  others,  and  it  is  impossible  for 
me  to  swallow  it  all."    Dufrain  replied:  "They  have 
given  you  the  best  portion  as  a  compliment ;  you  must 
receive  It,  and  eat  and  drink  every  bit  and;veryZ 
otherwise  we  shall  have  troMble."     "Well    vou  mnl' 
help  me,  then,"  I  said.      "No,"  he  replied '"I  Tn'' 
help  you;  each  person  must  eat  all  that  is  given  him 
and  will  not  be  allowed  to  part  with  any  portion  of  itTl 
am  sorry  for  you,  as  well  as  for  myself,  and  wish  it  had 

Sm:  ^e '"'"'"'  "'  ^  '"'  '"•••  ""'  '  *^"  -'  "-e  ^ 

It  was  between  eight  and  nine  o'clock  at  night  and 

he  fire,  Which  furnished  the  only  light  in  the  lodg    Z 

low,  and  my  location  wa.  in  the  back  part  of  the W 

where  my  movements  could  not  be  easily  detected     1 

mv  mir";  "'"''  "  '""^'  ""^""^  ^"^^^'«»  «^«"  to 
raj  mind  as  being  ray  only  chance  for  disposing  of  a 


86 


portion  of  the  consents  of  my  bowl,  and  T  determined 
to  attempt  it.  I  fel  that  extreme  caution  was  necessary, 
and  no  little  dext^nty  required  to  slip  the  meat  into  the 
hood  unobserved;  but  I  took  the  first  opportunity,  and 
succeeded  in  safely  depositing  a  piece  without  detection 
even  by  Dufrain,  w'  o  sat  next  to  me.  I  proceeded  eat- 
ing slowly,  so  that  no  notice  might  be  taken  of  the 
diminished  quantity  in  my  bowl,  and  soon  succeeded  in 
depositing  another  piece,  and  then  a  third,  and  ended  by 
eating  the  last  piece.  There  still  remained  the  oil  and 
broth,  and  I  feared  that  my  now  overburdened  stomach 
could  UQt  stand  this  ii  idition  to  its  load.  The  grease  had 
soaked  through  the  cloth  of  my  capote,  and  I  could  feel 
it  trickling  down  my  hack,  and  I  told  Dufrain,  in  Indian, 
that  I  must  go  out,  and  asked  him  not  to  let  my  bowl 
be  tipped  over  while  I  was  gone.  The  Indians  laughed, 
and  I  hastily  made  my  exit,  threw  the  pieces  of  meat  to 
the  dogs,  and  then,  thrusting  my  fingers  down  my 
throat,  endeavored  to  produce  an  eruption  which  should 
provide  room  for  what  I  still  had  to  swallow;  failing  in 
this  attempt,  however,  I  returned  to  my  place  in  the 
lodge,  and  by  persistent  effort  finally  succeeded  in  swal- 
lowing the  remainder. 

The  ceremony  of  gathering  the  bones  was  then  gone 
through  with  by  the  head  of  the  lodge  picking  them  up 
very  carefully  and  depositing  them  in  a  bowl,  then 
another  harangue,  and  we  were  left  to  chat  and  barter 
as  suited  us  best. 

From  these  Indians  we  learned  of  two  camps  situated 
in  opposite  directions,  and  from  them  engaged  a  guide  to 
go  with  one  of  our  men  to  one  camp,  and  from  there  to 
another,  we  had  before  known  of,  and  to  return  home, 


87 


where       ^    were  to  meet    him.    Diifrain,  being    ^vell 
acq    Mi. ted  with  the  rounfrv,  felt  confident  that  he  could 
go  (I    ecMy  to  the  ofher  camp  in  one  day's  travel,  and  I 
deciaed  to  go  witli  hi.        V        ,  ^e  lay  down   it  was 
aowing  liard,  which  coni.nuod  through  the  night.     We 
aroso  as  usual  before  dawn  of  day,  and  partook  of  a  nice 
dish  of  coni  so       which  had  been  prepared  for  us  by  the 
good  squaw  in  whose  lodge  we  had  slept,  and  as  soon  as 
possible  started.     The  snow  continued  falling,  and  being 
soft  stuck  to  our  snow-shoes  and  made  the  traveling  very 
hard  and  fatiguing,  and  b^    ^en  o'clo.-k  I  discovered  that 
my  companion  was  in  doum  as  to  our  whereabouts,  and 
at  noon  we  lialted  near  a  large  fallen  ti-'^o  to  strike  fire  for 
a  smoke.   When  I  asked  him  if  we  should  reach  the  camps 
that  night,  his  reply  was  that  we  should  have  reached  the 
river  by  that  time,   which  would  have  been  more  than 
half  way.     He  said  he  did  not  know  where  we  were,  the 
woods  looked  strange,  but  perhaps  that  was  because  there 
was  so  much  snow  on   the  trees.     It  had  then  stopped 
snowing,  though  with  no  appearance  of  clearing  off. 

Soon  after  we  started  the  storm  again  commenced 
harder  than  ever,  and  I  clearly  saw  that  we  were  not 
going  in  the  right  direction,  and  ventured  to  tell  Dufrain 
so.  He  was  very  passionate,  and  replied  sharply  that  if  I 
knew  the  way  better  than  he  I  had  better  take  the  lead; 
thus  rebuked,  I  followed  on  in  silence.  About  four 
o'clock  we  found  two  tracks  of  snow-shoes.  "Ah,"  said 
Dufrain,  "you  see  we  are  right;  these  tracks  are  of 
today;  there  is  new  snow  on  them;  had  they  been 
of  yesterday  they  would  have  been  covered  over  so  we 
could  not  see  them;  they  were  made  by  hunters  from 
the  camps  this  morning,but  we  can't  go  further  than  the 


I 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


A 


■^ 


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f/- 


1.0 


i.l 


'-  K    111112.2 

iM  mil  2.0 


1:25  III  1.4 


1.8 


1.6 


riiuiUgiupiliU 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  372-4503 


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A 


C/u 


f/- 


w^iv 


88 

river  to-nicrht.     We  will  take  the  back  tracks  and  they 
will  lead  us  to  the  camps." 

It  so  happened  that  during  the  earlier  part  of  the  day 
I  had  noticed  a  peculiar  leaning  tree,  which  was  now  in 
sight,  and  I  told  him  we  were  lost,  and  would  soon 
reach  the  log  where  we  had  stopped  at  noon.  He  could 
not  believe  that  I  was  right,  and  on  we  went,  but  before 
dark  he  was  convinced  by  our  reaching  the  same  log, 
and  there  we  camped  for  the  night.  We  both  slept 
soundly,  and  arose  refreshed.  The  snow  still  falling,  we 
hesitated  for  some  time,  undecided  whether  to  take  our 
back  track  to  the  camp  we  had  left,  or  to  strike  for  the 
river  in  the  direction  we  thought  it  to  be.  Knowing 
that  if  the  snow  continued,  of  which  there  was  every 
prospect,  our  tracks  would  soon  be  obliterated,  and  Du- 
frain  feehng  confident  that  we  could  find  the  river  and 
then  know  where  we  were,  we  decided  to  proceed.  We 
traveled  all  day,  and  camped  at  r.ight  .without  having 
reached  it.  Again,  another  day's  weary  tramp  with  the 
same  re,' ult,  and  Duf rain  was  willing  to  admit  that  he 
had  no  idea  where  we  were.  We  still  held  oar  course, 
and  again  laid  down  to  sleep,  very  tired  and  hungry. 

The  following  day  Dufrain  became  very  weak,  and 
was  much  frightened;  still  snowy,  clouded,  and  dark; 
snow  fully  three  feet  deep.  When  we  started  the  next 
morning,  the  clouds  were  breaking  away,  and  by  nine 
o'clock,  the  sun  burst  forth  for  the  first  time  since  we 
left  the  Indian  camp.  We  then  saw  we  were  traveling  a 
westerly  course,  and  changed  to  the  north.  Dufrain 
was  very  weak,  and  our  progress  was  necessarily  very 
slow.  Near  a  creek  we  found  a  thorn-apple  tree,  and 
removing  the  snow-  from  the  ground,  found  a  few  apples, 


89 

which  we  devoured  with  a  rehsh,  and  soon  after  struck 
the  Muskegon  River.     Following  up  the  river,  we  dis- 
covered on  the  opposite  bank  the  poles  of  an  Indian 
lodge,  bark  canoes,   and  a  scaffold    upon    which   was 
deposited  matting  for  covering  lodges.    It  was  very  cold, 
the  river  full  of  floating  ice,  and  not  fordable.     Dufrain 
recognized  the  spot,  and  said  that  a  half  mile  above  were 
rapids,  where  the  river  could  be  forded.    Having  reached 
the  rapids  we  crossed  with  great  difficulty,   the  water  in 
places  being  up  to  our  waists,  and  the  ice  floating  against 
us.     When  we  reached  the  scaffold,  our  clothes  were 
frozen  stiff.      We  took  down  some  of  the  mats,  cleared 
the  snow,  and   made  a  comfortable  lodge,   sufficiently 
large  to  shelter  us. 

Dufrain  carried  the  flint,  steel,  and  tinder  in  a  bag 
and  after  we  had  gathered  wood  for  a  fire,  he  discovered 
that  he  had  lost  it.  '  We  were  indeed  in  a  seriou3  pre- 
dicament, covered  with  ice,  and  shivering  with  cold;  we 
supposed  that  we  should  certainly  freeze  to  death.    Du- 
frain abandoned  all  hope,  and  began  to  cross  himself 
and  say  his  prayers.     I  opened  the  bales  of  goods,  and 
took  from  them  what  blankets  and  cloth  they  contained 
cut  more  hemlock  boughs,  and  took  down  more  matting,' 
and  then  we  lay  down  close  to  each  other,  an^i  covered 
up  with  the  blankets  and  cloth.     Scon  the  ice  on  our 
clothing  began  to  thaw  from  the  warmth  of  our  bodies, 
and  we  fell  asleep,  never  waking  until  sunrise. 

We  did  not  feel  hungry,  but  were  very  weak,  and 
neither  felt  inclined  to  move.  We  were  dry  and  warm, 
and  felt  more  like  lying  where  we  were  and  awaiting 
death  than  of  making  any  further  effort  to  save  our 
lives.     We  knew  the  Indians  could  not  be  far  away,  and 


I  i' 


snpposod  we  might  soon  find  a  anow-8ho(>  patli  which 
would  load  U8  to  thoii    lodges,  hut  wore  not  capahlo  of 
making  tlio  effort  to  save  ourselv(^s.    My  own  reflections 
of  the  ii^sponsihility  resting  upon  me,  and  thoughts  of 
my  widowed  mother,  hn)ther  and  sisters,  finally  n(»rv«Hl 
me  to  make  an  effort.     I  told  Dufrain  that  we  must  get 
up  an('.  go  to  tlie  camps,  and  that  T  would  go  and  recon- 
noitre, find  the  path  and  r*)turn  for  him;  to  my  great  dis- 
appointment, however,  I  could  find  no  snow-shoe  tracks; 
hut  after  careful  search  I  divscovenvl  some  small  saplings 
hroken  off  just  ahovi^  the  snow,  and  could,  hy  the  feel- 
ing as  1  stepped,  discover  that  there  was  a  path  under 
the  newly  fallen  snow.  I  followed  it  for  a  short  distance, 
when  I  saw  a  hl-"«e  on  a  tree,  and  knew  that  I  was  going 
in  the  right  direction  to  find  the  camps.     I  returned  for 
my  companion,  whom  I  found  sleeping,  and  seeming  not 
to  have  moved  during  my  ah8(»nce.  With  gnvit  difficulty 
I  aroused  him  and  put  on  his  snow-shoes,  and  then,  hav- 
ing pla<'ed  hoth  packs  upon  the  scaffold,  started  on  the 
march.     1  had  much  trouhle  in  keeping  the  path,  which 
I  follow<Ml  hy  the  hroken  twigs  and  an  occasional  hlaze 
on  a  tr(V3,  and  oui*  progress  was  very  slow.     Ahout  noon 
we  struck  a  fr(»sh  snow-shoe  track,  and  this  gavt'  me 
ivnewed  energy,  for  I  knew  it  had  heen  made  hy  a 
hunter  from  the  Indian  camps,  and  that  hy  following 
the  back  track  I  should  reach  the  lodges.     Dufrain  was 
not  in  the  least  moved  hy  this  good  fortune;  in  fact,  was 
stupid  and  inclined  to  stop,  fi'equently  crossed  himself, 
while  his  lips  moved  as   if  in  prayer,  and  it  required 
much  effort  and  persuasion  on  my  part  to  get  him  to 
move  slowly  forwanl,  he  freiiuently  protesting  that  he- 
could  not  move  another  step. 


91 

Iiitoiit  oil  my  progress,  and  for  a  time  foiKetting  rny 
(Comrade,  [  advanced  as  rapidly  as  possible,  and  on  look- 
ing around  for  Dufrain,  I  found  he  was  not  in  sight;  I 
deliberated  a  moment  wheth.  r  to  return  for  him  or  con- 
tinue on  my  way.  My  own  strength  was  fast  failing, 
and  I  feared  that  delay  would  be  certain  death.  I  re- 
solved, however,  to  make  a  last  effort,  and  turned  back; 
I  found  him  lying  asleep  in  the  snow.  I  tried  to  arouse 
him.  but  he  would  open  his  eyes  but  for  a  moment,  and 
say,  ''  I  can't;  leave  me."  Finding  my  attempts  useless, 
I  dug  away  the  snow,  wrapped  him  in  his  blanket,  with 
miiui  over  him,  and  left  hiin. 

1  started  forward  conscious  that  I  myself  might  soon 
be  in  the  same  condition,  though  determined  not  to  -.ve 
up  while  there  was  a  hope.     I  felt  no  hunger,  but  was 
very  weak;  the  perspiration  ran  from  every  pore,  and  at 
times  everything  seemed   to   waiver  before  me,    with 
momentary  darkness.     I  seemed  almost  to  faint;  still  I 
moved  on,  reeling  like  a  drunken  man.    Coming  to  new 
tracks,  and  hearing  the  barking  of  a  dog,  told  me  I  was 
Hearing  a  lodge,  and  gave  me  new  strength  to  advance. 
Soon  I  was  gladened  by  the  glimpse  of  a  lodge,  and  a  few 
minutes  more  was  seated  on  a  bearskin  within.     It  was 
a  solitary  hut  on  the  bank  of  a  creek,  and  in  it  was  a 
middle-aged  Indian,    with  his  arm  bandaged,  and  his 
squaw   with  three  or  four   young  children.     I  sat  and 
awaited  the  usual  custom  of  the  Indians  to  set  before  a 
stranger  something  to  eat,  but  seeing  no  move  in  that 
direction,  I  told  the  squaw  that  I  was  hungry  and  had 
not  eaten  for  four  days  and  nights.     She  exclaimed: 
"Nin  guid  buck-a-ta-minna  baein"  (we  too  are  hungi-y; 
my  husband  broke  his  arm).     She  opened  a  sack  and  took 


J I 

1 


\)2 


:<l  ;i 


11 


I 


out  a  Hiii.'ill  portion  of  pounded  (loin,  wliicli  hIio  HiirnMl 
into  51  k(>ttl(»  ol"  Wiit(Mand  pljiccd  over  tlio  (iro  to  boil, 
and  Hoon  aH  it  vvaH  roady  ^avo  mo  a  vory  Hniall  (piantity, 
about  balf  ji  pint,  and  ropIacHul  tb(^  kcttio  ovor  Uw  t'we. 

I  Hupposed  I  was  bun^ny,  tbougb  I  (bd  not  fool  ho,  and 
aup|>inf>-  a,  bttlo  from  tb«>  \vood(>n  disb  found  it  diflicult 
to  Hvvallow.     TiiiH   friy^btonod   mo  and   I  lay  down  and 

8lopt. 

I  waM  aAVJikoncd  by  tb(^  squaw,  wbo  gavo  mo  moro 
80U1)  from  tJjo  ki^ttlo,  wbioli  lat(>  witba.  rolisb  and  asked 
for  nior(>.  "  No,"  sbo  said,  "  lie  down  and  shn^p,  and  I 
will  awake  you  and  giv(>  you  more  after  awbilo."  Tins 
I  did,  and  was  a,wakon(>d  afttM*  djirk  rofi(>sbod  but  very 
aore  and  lame;  took  wbat  sou[)  was  givt'u  mo,  and  still 
wanting  more;  sbo  refused  me,  saying,  "after  a  littlo"; 
and  tbat  sbo  kmnv  best  bow  to  relievo  mo. 

I  noticed  tbat  tlu^  cbildren  fre(piontly  wont  out  of 
doors,  and  tbat  tbero  was  a  look  of  anxiety  on  tbe  coun- 
tenances of  botb  tbe  Indian  and  squaw,  wbicb  Ithougbt 
was  on  my  account;  but  asking,  be  ropHod  tbat  bis 
oldest  son  wont  out  early  in  tbe  morning  to  try  to  kill 
somotbing  for  tbom  to  oat,  and  tboy  wore  fearful  some 
accident  bad  befallen  bim. 

Up  to  tbis  time  I  bad  not  spoken  of  Dufrain,  because 
I  saw  tbore  was  no  one  to  go  for  bim,  and  bad  tbere  been, 
he  could  not  bav(>  boon  readied  before  dark.  Tbe  moon 
would  rise  about  midnigbt,  and  tben  1  bad  determined  to 
ask  the  squaw  to  go  with  mo  for  him,  though  I  had  no 
idea  of  finding  bim  alive.  Tboy  wore  well  acquainted 
with  him,  and  orx  my  telling  them  of  his  situation  the 
squjiw  parched  what  com  she  had  left,  pounded  it  and 
got  it  ready,  and  we  made  preparations  to  go  after  bim. 


98 


'P 


T] 


H) 


H(|imw  und  her  liUHbaiid  both   thought  that 


mn  l.Hd  KoiH^  to  th(.  Hv.m-  to  h<h,  if  tluM^anoc,  and  scnfTold 
woro  safes  and  that  it  was  his  t.vu^k  that  I  had  follow*.! 


10  ciim\).      Whil(!  wo  wim-o  diwnissin^  this  id 


totl 

doga  harkod;  tho  (;hild 

with  the  HOWS  that  thcur  hiothor  had 


(3a,  tho 
i<'ii   rail  out,  and  soon   roturnnd 

rotiinicd;  and  iio 


Hoon  ont(u-od,  hf.iring- ,,  ouh,  whc^roat  th(M-o  was  groat 
mjoioing.  It  h,  in^.  tin,  Ihst  of  tho  largo,;  animals  ho 
••.•"I  ovor  kill,.,!,  it  must  hoofforod  to  tho  (fmatSpirit  asa 
<'J'.'M>1<  onVrinjr,  ,,,„a  tho  hoy  mmt  fast  for  two  days 
Tho  fatJKM-  sat  up  and  boat  a  (h-uni;  tho  hoy  hhu.konou 
liiH  facH3,  tli(,  lH,ar  was  skinn(Ml,  and  jirop., rations  made 
'or  n,  tcvist,  though  foi-tunatoly  tho  foast  was  not  to  ho 
similar  to  th..  ono  I  had  .'ittond,.!  shortly  hofons  wlum 
nil  was  to  ^)o  oaten. 

Aftor  hearing  who  I  was.  and  that  Jaro  <I)ufra,in's 
l»<l'ciii  nauKO  h-M\  been  loft  behind,  the  boy  vohmte.erod 
to  go  with  mo  in  search  of  him  :  and  when  the  moon  rose, 
though  I  was  scarocay  abh.  t.)  move,  wo  started.  The 
Indian  and  his  wife  protested  against  my  going,  insisting 
M'at  tho  boy  and  his  mothcu-  eould  go  without  mo,  and  I 
should  gladly  have  consented  to  remain  bad  I  not 
known  that  if  my  cujmrado  was  found  aliv(,  no  one  but 
mo  (U),dd  got  him  to  make  an  attempt  to  move. 

The  boy  in  his  hunting  bad  made  a  long  detour,  and 
on  my  describing  the  place  whore  I  bad  loft  Dufrain 
he  was  able  to  reach  it  by  a  much  shorto.-  route  than  by 
following  his  trac^ks  as  I  had  done.  In  about  an  hour 
we  reached  Dufrain  and  found  him  apparently  lifeless 
but  still  warm.  By  rniu-h  effort  wo  aroused  him  so  that 
he  could  speak,  but  he  persisted  in  remaining  where  he 
was,  said  he  was  stiff  and  could  not  walk,  and  closlid  his 


i 


ill  ii  i  ■ 


04 

eyoH  and  UKain  dropped  to  sloop.  It  rocpiirod  our  utmost 
effort  to  raise  him  to  his  feet,  and  by  shoi-t  stages  to 
finally  reach  the  camp  just  as  the  sun  rose. 

We  made  him  as  (jomfortable  as  possible,  and  by  feed- 
ing him  a  little  every  few  minutes  revived  him.  His 
feet  and  legs  were  badly  swollen,  so  much  so  that  I 
was  obliged  to  rip  his  leggms  to  got  them  off;  his  feet 
were  in  a  most  terrible  condition;  the  strings  of  his 
snow-shoes  had  so  bruised  his  toes  that  blood  had  oozed 
out  and  completely  saturated  the  neips;  and,  to  add  to 
his  misery,  the  poor  ft^llow  was  ruptured,  and  it  was 
several  days  before  I  could  replaces  the  pi-otruding  parts. 
He  gained  slowly,  and  it  was  a  week  before  he  could  sit 
\i\);  and  despairing  of  his  restoration  so  as  to  be  able  to 
bear  the  journ(\y  home,  with  the  assistance  of  the  boy 
and  his  mother  I  constructed  a  frain-de-clese  on  which 
to  remove  him. 

During  my  ten  days'  stay  I  had  daily  caught  in  traps 
from  one  to  a  dozen  partridges;  and  these,  added  to  what 
the  boy  had  killed,  furnished  us  a  sufficiency  of  food, 
though  at  times  our  rations  were  limited. 

I  finally  got  my  sled  fully  rigged,  though  my  friend 
was  still  unable  to  sit  uj)  mon^  than  an  hour  at  a  time. 
We  had  already  spent  more  than  ten  days,  and  1  felt 
that  T  could  remain  no  longer,  and  a  decision  nmst  be 
made,  either  to  leave  him  and  return  for  him,  or  draw 
him  on  the  sled  to  oui*  home.  The  old  Indian  said  we 
might  accomplish  his  removal;  but  he  thought  it  ex- 
tremely doubtful,  the  country  being  very  hilly  and 
covered  with  underbrush.  I  left  it  to  Dufraii:  to  decide, 
and  as  he  chose  to  go,  I  started,  with  the  young  Indian 
to    assist  me.     We   had  a  terrible  journey  over  hills 


0fi 

and  through  thi(;k  uiuhuKrovvth,  and  after  thr(»«  days  of 
niOHt  Hevoro  toil  reached  our  trading  liouse,  our  invalid 
Iiavnig  oonu*  the  journey  remarkably  well. 

The  other  party  had  only  returned  two  days  before,  and 
all  wero  anxiouH  about  us,  and  were  about  organizing  an 
expedition  to  go  in  Hearch  of  us.  I  was  almost  worn  out 
fi'om  the  hardships  I  had  endured  and  from  dragging  my 
comrade. 

Dufrain  never  left  our  cabin  until  we  carried  him  to  a 
canoe  in  the  spring  to  start  for  Mackinaw.     There  was 
a  light  wind  the  day  we  started  and  the  motion  of  the 
canoe  caused  vomiting,  and  before  we  could  reach  a 
harbor  at  White  River  he  died,  and  we  buried  him  in 
the  bluff.      He  was  very  fond  of  card  playing  during  his 
life,  and  some   Indians   having  camped  on   the  bluffs 
where  we  buiied  him  reported  that  at  night  they  heard 
his  voice  calling  out  the  name  of  the  cards  as  lie  played 
them,    -corno"   (diamond),    ''cune"    (heart),    etc.;   and 
though  the  river  was  a  great  resort  for  the  Indians  in  the 
spring,   where  they  used  the  peculiar  white  clay  for 
washing  their  blankets,  for  years  after  they  avoided  it, 
lielieving  it  to  be  haunted. 


KALAMAZOO   KIVER— COSA— AN   ACCIDENT— A    VISIT— 
WOLF  STORIES— CROOKED   LAKE. 

We  werfe  among  tlie  very  first  of  the  traders  to  reach 
Mackinaw,  and  after  making  my  returns  to  Mr.  Stewart 
I  was  detailed  for  a  time  to  the  retail  store.  On  Mr, 
Matthews'  return  from  Montreal  I  was  assigned  to  duty 
under  him  in  the  assorting  and  packing  house,  where 
the  business  was  conducted  in  the  same  manner  as 
previously  desci-ibed,  and  lasted  until  the  last  of  July  or 
first  of  August. 

My  third  winter  was  spent  on  the  Kalamazoo  River,  in 
Michigan,  niy  trading  house  being  on  the  north  bank  of 
the  river,  and  opposite  the  present  city  of  Kalamazoo, 
and  for  the  first  time  I  had  full  control  of  an  "outfit." 
My  crew  consisted  of  three  Canadians,  who  were 
accustomed  to  trading  at  that  post,  and  an  Indian 
named  Cosa,  well  and  favorably  known  among  the 
Indians  for  bravery  and  intelligence.  He  had  years 
before  abandoned  hunting,  preferring  to  engage  for  the 
winter  with  some  one  of  the  regular  traders  as  an 
ordinary  man  or  voyager.  He  received  one  hundred 
dollars  for  his  winter's  service,  which  was  considered 
a  high  price  for  so  short  a  time,  and  was  as  much  as  two 

(96) 


!I7 

Canadian,  received  fo,-  a  whole  yea..      Bnt  as  he  was 
pe.tectty  f,un,.,ar  with  the  ,:«unMy,  and  well  ac.,uaiuted 

and  tumishod  two  ho.^s  of  his  own,  I^sides  the  services 
ot  his  wife,  I  was  (;lad  to  secure  hin,  even  at  that  price. 
This   post  was  a  pleasant  one,  though  the  hunting 
grounds  were  very  much  scattered,  which   made  cou 
staut  watchfulness  ami  activity  necessary  to  secure  the 
U1.S  an,,  dispose  of  good.s.     The  winter  was  one  of  great 
hardship    and   „iy  men  wore  coi,.,t,mtly  out  coining 
furs,  and  occiisionnlly  I  myself  ma,le  a  trip.     Cosa  some 
mes  took  his  wife  with  him  in  place  of  a  man-she 
riding  on  one  of  the  hoi-ses. 

One  evening  on  their  return  they  i.e,„,rte,l  having  come 
across  a  camp  of  Imlians  on  a  hraiu.h  of  tl,e  Paw.Paw 
Eiver  who  had  an  abundance  of  fu«  an,l  peltrie.,,  but 
Cosa,  being  out  of  goods,  couW  only  get  from  them  what 
they  already  owed. 

One  of  the  I„,lia„s  was  very  sick,  and  his  friends  ha,i 
sent  for  a  famous  Indian  doctor,  who  Cosa  said  always 
.ntio,Iuced  his  curing  ceremonies  by  a  drunken  carousal. 
Cosa  thought  that  we  might  get  their  furs  it  we  could 
reach  them  ahead  of  the  St.  Jo.seph  traders  (who  were 
connected  with  an  opposition  company),  but  he  con 
sidered  a  little  whisky  absolutely  necessary  to   secure' 
their  trade.     I  a.ked  hin,  to  return  to  their  camp  in  tl! 
morning  with  goods  only,  but  he  said  he  was  very  tired 
I  told  him  that  it  was  hut  a  short  day's  journey;  that  he 
could  take  his  other  horse  that  had  been  resting  to  pa  k 
his  goods,  and  that  I  would  go  with  him,  and  leave  his 
wife  to  Keep  house.     He  replied  that  it  would  be  of  uo 
use  without  whisky,   but  that   if   I  would  take   the 

•7 


IKS 


M 


sninll  !<•';;•  Ik- wniiM  j;n.  He  icilly  iindcd  two  or  11ii»m' 
Uiiys'  it'sf,  mimI  Ii.'hI  lilt' r('|>ii(;ilioii  oriMin^u  sliildiorii, 
I'lMi'lrss  Iclluw,  this  ir|inl:il  ion  lM>iii,<;  ('oMliniicd  hy  his 
]ii;iiiv  sens,  aiitl  I  ihil  not  hkr  lo  (-oiiiii.iind  him  lo  ^u. 
|l(>i('lt>r<>i('  hf  h.'nl  shown  n  ;;oo(l  disposition,  wiisoht'dicnl 
and  wilhnj;,  and  scrincd  to  taUi-  inon*  iiitcicst  in  thoox- 
)>t'(ht ion,  and  hail  a  L;rt'alrr  dcsiit'  lorj^ood  irsulls,  than 
an\  oi'  I  h*<  ot  hi'i'  nun.  and  I  did  not  hl\i<  lo  anpT  him  it' 
it  coidd  h>'  avoided.  I  son^dit  a  |>i'ivati>  o|)|ioi'|,nnity  ol' 
ronsnhin};'  his  wile,  who  conlirnird  all  ho  had  said, 
ii'inaiUinL;,  ho\vi'\(>r.  that  slio  Iraicd  her  Imshand  coidd 
not  rolVain  I'loni  joinini^  in  the  ('(M'tMiioiucs  and  p'llinf;' 
dinnU  with  Iho  oIIhts.  Ih'r  views  decided  me  to  accede 
to  Cosa's  wishes,  and  I  said  to  him:  "  Now  ,  ( "osa,  if  we 
taUcIhe  liltie  Ue^"  and  ^^'o  to  nionow',  will  yon  promise 
to  stick  i»y  me.  and  not  taste  a  drop^"  lie  pronnscd,  and 
that  ni,L;ht  two  hales  (»f  merchandise,  with  the  lillU*  1  wo- 
uallon  Uei;'  of  l.ijLihw  ines,  watered  one  third,  were  |»r(>- 
parcd;  and  il  daylii;ht  in  i  he  nsornin;^-  I  he  pony  was 
hrouf^ht  from  the  woods,  sa<ldlcd  and  loaded,  aii<l  we 
stai'tcd.  Cosa  takini;-  tin-  lead. 

I  had  also  providiMi  ;ni  empty  one  _i;a lion  k<',i;',  and  when 
alttint  dark  we  aiiixed  within  h(>arin.L;  ol'  the  camj*.  I 
told  Cosa  that  we  wonld  till  onr  small  kcj;',  mi.xed  with 
hair  w.iter,  and  hide  the  other,  so  that  the  Indians 
tli'idvinj;' Ihal  was  .all  wcIkkI  wonid  ix'tlie  sooner  salis- 
llod.  To  this  heasscidcd,  s.iyinj;' it.  was  wise.  Thoni;h 
the  liii;iiwincs  had  heen  dilnted  one  third  it  was  still 
ipiilc  sti'oni;'.  llavini;-  no  t'nnnel,  how  to  rurlhcr  mi.\  i< 
was  a  (lilcnnna.  l»nl  W(^  so(»n  lonnd  a  way.  We  wonld 
<]raw  a  moulhtid  from  the  lai'j;«M' ke^' and  s[)it  it  into  the 
smallei-,  and  then  l;ikt>  a  moulhfnl  of  water  iind  tfansl\M' 


I 


'.»!» 


;;;, ", "'•;'■•■> ""-", ..p,.,.,: 

"'•"   """■■■ "    !'■■ ■-"»-'■.■  I,.,v   l„.r,„,.  ..i,,,! 

„,'^  "•'""";  ";■' ^'■■"'^^' '■■■'•  M. ii,in,., 

';;■', '',''7.';':''' '■"""•"■■• •  >  «„,„.i  ,,,„,, 

" ';"'" '  |."ssiM,..  ,„„,  ,i,„  ,„„,„„,,,„ ,., 

!•:'■'■■''•'" 'iM.Mi.MH  Hi,i.i,  w,.,.,.  i,.,„i,.,-,.,i  „„,  ,.„,,  „,„„, 

'"■"'"■'■■■'«"".""•'  —  .,■.,. ,.„,  ,.,„.|v   .,„„■„  I  wi 

I;:;:;:',;;; ''"■'■  ^ .<'-.i..iMi,,,i., , ,„„„,„„,,„,  u,„ 

;'''"',"■'" ' "-^'.v'"'!  I"  s,.ll  a  li(,(,l,..  s„  I  ,.v. 
";■'"'' ^'  |.n..nis,.  IV,„„  Cos,-,  ,„  ,,.,„;,„,  will,,,,,.  ,„|l„. 
"lP';M„l„oM„,|,,„k  ,,,„,,  ,,„,,.„„„ ,.,,  e„ll„„i„,. 

"■;'""",   "-M-.vl..nli„,.x,.,„„„,.,„.  1,1 ,,i„,/"'- 

'"^'"■''"■"  "-  "I ■'-■•"  n„.  ,„,,..,,  Will,  r,,., 

;";'"  "M 1 1„.  s,...„r,.M  ,„■„„.,.„,.„  ,  ,,„,,,  J 

;';""■■',;■":'■'■'■''''•"-'■■  «•-• i u,,.  .,i,.„. 


ley 


I 


:i 


B    ;3 


i! 


100 

would  go  and  take  it;  and  being  refused  they  went  with 
him  in  search  of  it.  Being  disappointed  in  their  attempts 
the  Indians  began  to  separate  and  go  to  their  lodges, 
and  soon  all  was  (luiet  in  the  camp.. 

As  my  feet  were  wet  I  pulled  off  my  moccasins  and 
laid  down  in  a  wigwam  with  my  feet  to  the  fire.  Cosa 
still  importuning'  me  for  more  drink,  and  I  positively 
i-efusing,  he,  with  two  druken  companions,  after  a  long 
search,  succeeded  in  finding  tlie  concealed  keg.  The 
squaw  who  assisted  me  in  hiding  the  "  fire  water"  had 
watched  them,  and  .juickly  informed  me  of  their  discov- 
ery. I  ran  out  into  the  snow  barefooted,  and  succeeded 
in  reaching  the  place  before  they  could  remove  it  from 
the  scaffold.  I  told  the  two  Indians  that  it  was  my 
property,  and  not  theirs;  that  I  should  give  them  no 
more,  and  forbade  them  to  touch  it.  They  desisted,  but 
Cosa,  to  show  his  independence,  advanced  to  take  the 
keg,  when  I  seized  him  by  the  throat,  threw  him  on  his 
back,  and  placing  my  knees  on  his  stomach,  choked  him 
so  he  could  neither  move  nor  speak,  and  held  him  thus 
until  the  squaw  had  removed  the  keg  and  again  hidden 
it.  I  would  not  let  him  up  until  he  promised  me  to  lie 
down  and  sleep  ;  for  a  time  he  refused  to  promise;  but 
as  I  only  released  my  grip  upon  his  throat  long  enough  for 
him  to  answer,  and  then  tightened  it  with  renewed  vigor, 
he  was  soon  glad  to  promise,  when  I  allowed  him  to  arise 
and  conducted  him  to  my  own  comfortable  quarters, 
covered  him  up,  and  lay  down  by  his  side. 

Cosa  was  considerably  injured,  and  after  becoming 
sober  slept  but  little.  I  myself  kept  wide  awake  until 
daylight,  when  I  arose,  got  the  pony  from  the  woods, 
loaded  him.  and  as  soon  as  we  had  eaten  our  breakfast 


li   till ' 


101 

we  departed  homeward,  picking  up  the  keg  on  the 
way.  Cosa  was  very  hoarse  from  his  severe  choking, 
and  very  much  mortified  and  humbled,  and  begged  me 
not  to  tell  what  had  taken  place  when  we  reached  home; 
he  was  afterward  very  faithful  and  attentive  to  his 
duties. 

In  the  month  of  November  I  made  a  trip  to  Chicago, 
and  had  a  very  delightful  visit  of  a  week  in  Mr.  Kin- 
zie's  family,  received  my  clothing  which  I  had  left  there 
on  my  previous  visit,  and  returned  to  my  post. 

During  the  fall  of  this  year  I  made  a  cache  in  the  sand- 
hills at  the  mouth  of  the  Kalamazoo  River,  in  which  I 
concealed  m;uiy  valuables,  and  early  in   the   month  of 
March  following  I  took  one  of  the  men  and  went  in  a 
canoe  for  the  articles.    We  found  everything  safe  and  in 
good  condition,  and  having  loaded  them  into  the  canoe 
started  home.     The  weather  was   very  severe  for  the 
season,  and  the  snow  still  deep,  which" made  our  camp- 
ing very  unpleasant,  and  the  current  being  swift,  we 
had  much  difficulty  in  ascending  the  rapids,  at  the' foot 
of  which  we  had  made  our  night's  camp.     I  had  col- 
lected some  fine  mink,  otter,  and  other  furs  at  two  In- 
dian camps  on  the  route,  and  these,  added  to  the  articles 
taken  from  the  cache,  made  a  very  valuable  load. 

I  took  my  position  in  the  bow  of  the  canoe,  leaving 
my  man  to  steer.  AVe  had  passed  the  rapids,  but  were 
still  in  a  veiy  strong  current,  when  we  came  to  a  fallen 
tree  lying  in  the  river  which  formed  a  partial  eddy. 
In  pushing  around  the  ti-ee  the  strong  current  struck 
the  boat  sidewise,  caused  it  to  carpen,  and  I  lost  my 
balance.  To  prevent  the  canoe  from  upsetting  I  allowed 
myself   to  go  overboard  and   swam  down    the  river; 


Ji 


I   i 


\  i 


I 


i'    ■'  'SI 


102 

the  man  quickly  turning  the  liead  of  the  boat  down 
stream,  we  both  landed  at  the  bottom  of  the  rapids  at 
the  same  time,  where  we  found  the  fire  of  our  previous 
camp  still  burning.  After  I  had  dried  my  clothing  we 
again  ascended,  and  reached  home  the  following  day 
without  further  mishap. 

Nothing  unusual  occurred  at  my  post  that  winter  fur- 
ther than  I  have  related. 

I  made  a  call  on  Rix  Robinson,  who  w^as  a  trader  on 
Grand  Eiver  above  Grand  Rapids,  also  in  the  employ  of 
the  American  Fur  Company,  and  my  nearest  neighbor. 
It  was  in  the  month  of  January,  a  few  days  after  a 
thaw  which  had  flooded  the  river,  and  when  I  reached 
the  South  Branch  of  Grand  River  I  found  the  bottoms 
flooded,  but  frozen  hard  enough  to  bear  me  up,  the  river 
very  high  and  filled  with  floating  ice,  and  no  means  of 
crossing,  and  I  had  either  to  return  or  swim  for  it. 
Though  the  day  was  very  cold,  I  chose  the  latter,  un- 
dressed, and  having  tied  my  clothing  in  as  compact  a 
bundle  as  possible,  rested  it  on  the  back  of  my  neck, 
holding  it  in  place  by  a  string  between  my  teeth.  I 
plunged  in  and  soon  landed  on  the  opposite  shore,  and 
dressing  myself  as  quickly  as  possible,  I  started  on  a  run 
and  soon  became  thoroughly  warmed. 

It  was  growing  late,  but  being  on  the  trail  leading  to 
Robinson's  I  felt  sure  of  reaching  his  house,  and  arrived 
on  the  bank  of  the  main  river  opposite  to  it  about  nine 
o'clock.  I  hallooed  a  number  of  times,  and  began  to 
despair  of  being  heard,  and  thought  I  should  be  com- 
pelled to  camp  for  the  night  almost  at  the  door  of  my 
friend.  I  gave  my  last  and  strongest  yell,  aroused  a 
Frenchman,  who  came  down  to  the  shore  and  answered 


'M  V. 


me,  saying,  in  Indian,  "Can't  come  over,"  and  explain- 
ing that  there  was  too  much  floating  ice  to  cross.  My 
answer,  in  French,  telling  who  I  was  brought  from  him 
the  reply,  "Wait,  we  will  come  over";  after  a  short 
time  two  men  came  for  me  in  a  boat,  and  I  soon  found 
myself  beside  a  warm  fire  in  my  friend's  cabin;  supper 
was  ordei-ed,  to  which  I  did  ample  justice. 

Robinson  was  much  surprised  at  the  account  of  my 
crossing  the  river.     I  spent  a  few  days  very  pleasantly, 
and  before  leaving  arranged  with  my  host  to  wait  at  the 
mouth  of  the  river  for  me  on  his  way  back  to  Mackinaw, 
so  that   we  might  proceed    from  there  in  company,   I 
promising  to  be  at  the-  meeting  place  at  an  appointed 
day,  not  later  than  the  tenth  of  May.     Leaving  Robin- 
son's cabin  at  early  dawn  I  reached  my  own  post  soon 
after  dark,  having  traveled  sixty  miles.     I  had  made  a 
successful  winter,  and  disposed  of  all  my  goods  except 
a  few  remnants,  and  about  the  twentieth  of  April  aban- 
doned my  post  and  descended  the  river,  stopping  for  a 
day  or  two  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids,  where  a  large  num- 
ber of  Indians  were  assembled  to  catch  sturgeon. 

In  due  time  I  reached  Grand  River,   where  I  found 
Mr.    Robinson  awaiting  me,  and  after  a  rest  of  six  or 
eight  days  we  left  for  Mackinaw.      We  were  among  the 
first  to  arrive,  and  after  settJing  my  accounts,   I  was 
again  detailed  to  the  fur-packing  house  for  the  season. 
I  had  received  letters  from  my  mother  telling  of  her 
loneliness  and  of  her  great  desire  to  see  me.  and  felt  very 
badly  over  the  news  these  had  conveyed;  and  when  Mr. 
Crooks  told  me  I  was  to  again  return  to  my  post  on  the 
Kalamazoo  River,  I  asked  to  be  dischai-ged,  giying  as  a 
reason  that  my  mother  was  a  widow,   Mud  mv  brotliei' 


104 


;iii<l  four  sistors  wore  all  yoiniocr  th.-iii  myself,  and 
lUMMlcd  my  sen-vices  and  protection.  I  was  then  eijjjhteeu 
yeai's  old,  and  felt  myself  a  man  in  all  tilings.  Mr. 
Crooks  said  the  company  coidd  not  spare  me,  and  he 
thought  I  could  serve  my  mother  and  family  more  ac- 
ceptahly  hy  remaining;  toM  me  that  he  had  corresponded 
with  my  mother,  and  when  last  at  Montreal  intended  to 
have  gone  to  C-onnecticut  to  see  her,  hut  had  not  the 
time,  and  hy  his  ai-guments  prevailed  upon  me  to  re- 
main. 

I  exprt'ssiMJ  my  desire  to  again  go  out  with  the  Illinois 
"hiigad(>,"  giving  my  reasons  therefor;  and  these,  aided 
hy  .Mr.  Deschamps'  solicitations  (he  claiming  that  he  had 
only  consented  to  part  with  me  lor  a  year,  expecting  me 
to  return  and  take  charge  of  the  post  on  the  Illinois 
Eiv(>r),  induced  Uv.  Crooks— though  reluctantly— to  give 
his  conscMii  to  my  going  out  with  my  old  friend  and 
conu'ade.  In  due  cours(>  of  time  our  "'hrigadc'"'  started, 
the  twelve  hoats  led  hy  Mr.  Deschanii)s  and  the  old 
familiar  hoat  song.  1  was  again  with  my  old  com- 
panions, all  of  whom  gave  luo  a  cordial  welcome.  Day 
after  day  we  pursued  our  voyage,  the  ever  monotonous 
row.  row,  heing  varied  hy  no  incideius  of  interest,  until 
we  re-ached  Chicago.  We  had  made  an  unusually  quick 
tri}),  having  heen  delayed  hy  adv(M-se  winds  hut  two  or 
thi-ee  days  on  the  entire  joiu-ney.  Again  I  was  rejoiced 
with  a  hopie  in  Mi-.  Kinzie's  family,  and  remained  there 
for  several  days,  until  the  ''hi-igade"  again  moved  for 
the  Illinois  River. 

The  water  in  the  rivers  was  unusually  low  this  season, 
and  in  places  the  Desplaines  could  he  crossed  on  foot 
without  wetting  the  sole  of  the  shoe;  or,  more  properly 


Kin 

Hpiiiikitig,  the  skin  of  tho  foot,  as  covering  was  out  of 
fashion,  or  had  not  come  in,  at  tliat  time. 

Wo  were  compelled  to  cany  our  goods  and  effects 
from  the  South  Branch  to  the  Desplaines  on  our  hacks, 
leaving  our  empty  boats  to  pass  through  the  usual  chan- 
nel  from  the  South  Branch  to  Mud  Lake,  and  througli 
that  to  the  West  End,  and  through  tlie  other  chami.^l. 
Having  completed  the  portage  to  the  Desplaines  and  en- 
countered the  usual  fatigu(>s  in  descending  that  river, 
without  unusual  delay  or  accid(Mit  we  mached  Bureau 
Station,    where    I   had   passed   my   first    winter.      Mr. 
Be(n>3au  was  still  in  charge,  though  he  was  nuicli  mor(? 
fe(5l)le  than  when  T  last  saw  him.  nor  had  his  temper  and 
disposition  und(>rgoiie  any  cliange  for  the  hettei-,  but  on 
the  contrary  he  was  more  iiritnble  and  disagreeable,   if 
this  was  possible.     My  friend  Antoine  was  nlso  there  and 
delighted  to  see  me,  and  we  spent  many  hours  together, 
talking  over  old  times  and  recounting  oui-  hunting  ex- 
pei-ience  of  the  winter  of  ISbS-ll).     He  had  grown  to 
maidiood  and  was  fully  able  to  perform  th-;  duties  and 
endui-e  the  hardshii)s  of  a  voyageur,   in  which  capacity 
Ml-.   ])esc;hamps  engaged  him  for  that  post.      He  was 
greatly  (lisapi)ointed  when  he  learned  that  I  was  not  to 
winter  with  them  but  was  to  take  the  position  of  trader 
at  a  new  post  further  down  the  river;  he  applied  to  Mr. 
Deschami)s  to  be  transferrtnl  to  my  post,  l)ut  this  was  re- 
fused him,   Mr.  Deschamps  stating  to  me  that  he  feared 
I  would  not  have  the  obedience  from  him  that  my  posi- 
tion required,  owing  to  our  previous  intimate  relations 
in  which  he  had  been  both  my  companio:  .  -id  equal.     1 
saw  the  justice  of  this  and  acquiesced  in  his  decision. 
Before  parting,  however,   Antoine  and  I  took  a  day's 


I  i'^  ^ 


1 


I 


lOfi 

hunting  togotlior,  tnunping  ovor  ground  which  had  be- 
come 80  fjunihar  two  yoars  befon^  and  recalling  many 
pleasant  incidents  of  those  liapi)y  days. 

After  resting  a  few  days,  and  selecting  the  goods  and 
luen  to  be  h^ft  at  that  i)ost,  we  proceeded  on  our  way, 
making  our  next  halt  at  Foit  Clark  (Peoria),  where  we 
found  several  families  had  located,  among  whom  were 
Mr.  Fulton,  the  first  pioneer  settler  at  that  point,  who 
still  resides  in  that  county  ;  a  Mr.  Bogardus,  biother  of 
(general  Bogardus,  of  New  York,  a  highly  intelligent 
gentleman,  and  his  estiinabk^  and  accomplished  wife. 

Two  miles  below,  at  a  point  now  known  as  Wesley 
City,  was  Mr.  Beason'n  ])ost,  and  there  we  remained 
about  one  w(H>k,  during  which  time  I  went  almost 
daily  to  thi^  fort, 

WOr.F  STOUIKS. 

A  melancholy  incident  occuri-ed  tiiere  during  the  win- 
ter. On  the  river  bottom  opposite  Benson's  post  were  a 
half-dozen  or  more  lodges  of  Pottawatomies.  An  aired 
squaw,  accompanied  by  a  young  granddaughter,  was 
returning  froiu  an  absence  from  the  camp,  and  when 
at  Kickapoo  Creek  they  were  atta(?ked  by  a  large  female 
timber  wolf  and  her  cubs.  The  httle  girl  escaped,  and 
running  home  reported  to  her  brother,  who  innnediately 
started  to  the  old  squaw's  rescue.  On  reaching  the 
l)lace  he  found  the  wolves  had  killed  his  grandmother 
and  wei-e  feasting  upon  lier  flesh.  Though  armed  only 
with  a  tomahawk  and  knife,  he  boldly  attacked  the 
animals  and  succeeded  in  driving  them  away  from  her 
body,  but  not  without  being  himself  badly  bitten,  and. 


1()7 


indeed,  I  doubt  not  he  would  have  departed  for  the 
"  i»«'^PPy  hunting  grounds  "  by  the  same  route  his  grand- 
inotlier  liad  taken  had  lie  not  been  reinforced  by  his 
friends,  who  had  learned  of  his  peril. 

It  is  rarely  that  a  wolf  will  attack  a  human  being, 
unless  closely  pressed  or  famishing  with  hunger.  I  re- 
member that  once  when  Noel  Vasseur  and  myself  were 
eating  our  lunch  at  Blue  Island,  while  our  horses  were 
grazing,  a  wolf  came  so  close  to  ns  that  Vasseur  toma- 
hawked him. 

Another   time,    Jacques    Jombeaux  and  myself    had 
(•amped  for  the  night,  and  before  lying  dowji  I  went  to 
look   after  my  horse,   which  I   had  spanceled   on  the 
prairie.    I  found  him  feeding  quietly,  and  returning,  I 
noticed  what  I  supposed  to  be  an  Indian  dog  following 
me.     I  called  and  whistled  to  him,  but  he  paid  no  atten- 
tion to  the   noise.      When  I  reached   the   camj)  I  told 
Jacques  that  there  was  a  camp   of   Indians  neai-,  as  I 
had  been   followed   by  one  of  their  dogs,  and  that  he 
must   hang  up  the    i)rovisions.     He  hung   them  on  a 
sapling  close  by  our  camp  fire.      We  were  lying  with 
our  feet  close  to  the  fire  when  my  supposed  dog  came 
up  and  put  his  forefeet  on  the  sapling  in  his  efforts  to 
get  our  meat.     The  light  of  the  fire  showed  him  to  be 
a  prairie  wolf,  and  enabled  Jacques  to  shoot  him  with 
his  rifle. 

I  knew  of  an  Indian  who  was  treed  by  a  pack  of 
wolves,  and  there  kept  for  eighteen  or  more  hours, 
until  his  comrade,  becoming  alarmed  at  his  absence, 
found  and  relieved  him. 

We  left  Reason's  and  proceeded  on  our  way  to  other 
stations  down   the   river.      Mr.   Des(;hami)s  decided  to 


f 


fj. 


'm 


11  ! 


- 


h 


lOS 

estal)lisli  ;i  mw  post  at  the  mouth  of  Ciookod  Oreek,  and 
to  locate  me  ill  charge.  We  Koon  agreed  iii)on  the  spot 
on  which  to  huild  my  house,  and  my  outfit  having  heen 
unloaded  Mr.  Bescliamps  proceeded  on  his  way. 

^yo  first  constructed  a  pen  of  logs,  the  sides  of  whicli 
\vei(>  about  six  feet  liigh,  within  which  was  packed  my 
goods;  these  were  covered  with  sails  and  tarpaulins.  Our 
camp  was  made  on  the  south  side  of  the  inclosure, 
both  for  convenience  and  the  better  protection  of  the 
goods.  These  arrangements  having  been  completed  we 
proceeded  imnKMliately  to  build  a  good-sized  trading 
house. 

Before  reaching  this  place  I  had  felt  symptoms  of 
ague;  loss  of  ap[)etite  with  slight  chills;  still  I  managed 
to  keep  up,  and  my  house-building  progressed  so  well 
that  by  the  time  of  Deschamps'  return  it  was  up  and 
tb(^  store  i)art  covered,  so  that  the  goods  could  be  moved 
into  it.  Mr.  Deschamps  thought  my  symptoms  denoted 
bilious  fever  and  prescribed  for  me  accordingly. 

My  fever  continued  to  increase,  and  I  became  very 
sick,  was  unable  to  sit  up,  and  daily  grew  worse. 

Two  Frenchmen,  who  had  been  shooting  geese  and 
swans  at  Portage  de  Sioux,  came  down  the  Illinois 
River  in  a  large  pirogue,  on  their  way  to  St.  Louis  to 
market  their  game.  Though  their  boat  was  heavily 
laden,  by  promising  to  pay  for  the  game  they  would  be 
compelled  to  leave  to  make  room  for  me,  and  also  to 
pay  liberally  for  my  passage,  I  succeeded  in  persuading 
them  to  take  me  as  a  passenger  to  St.  Louis,  where  I 
felt  compelled  to  go  to  consult  a  physician,  and  their  ar- 
rival seemed  providential. 

While  the  men  were  eating  I  made  preparations  for  my 


101) 

(U'parturo.     Calling  my  iiitorprottM',  I  told  him  of  my  de- 
termination,  and  instructed  him  that  slnmld  1  fail  to  re- 
turn hy  a  certain  day  he  should  send  word  to  Mi-.  Des- 
champs   and   ask  for    orders.     My  men  went  to  work 
with  a  will  moving  and   repacking  the   game  so  as  to 
give  sufficient  room  for  me  in  the  boat  without  leaving 
any  part  of  the  load,  and  I  was  carried  and  phuxnl  in 
the  boat,  in  as  comfortable  a  position  as  could  be  found. 
The  wind   Avas  from  the  south,    and  the  river  very 
rough;   the    motion  of    the  boat  caused  mo  to  vomit 
excessively  and  I  soon  became  uncoiis(;ious.     The  men 
carried    me  along  until  they  came  to  a  settlor's  cabin 
near  the  bank  of  the  rivei-,  nnd  supposing  me  to  be  dying, 
took  me  ashore,  left  me  there,  arid  pursued  tlieir  journey. 
T  do  not  know  how  long  I  was  unconscious,  l)ut  when  I 
awoke  I  found  myself  in  bed,  while  a  young  girl  was  sit- 
ting by   I'iinning  me.      She  jumped   u^)  and  called  licr 
mother,  avIio  coming  in,  cautioned  me  not  to  get  excited, 
gave  nie  some   tea,  and  while  I  was  driidving  it  told  me 
where  I'  wns  and  how  1  came  there.      Frcmi  tluit  time  I 
improved  rnpidly,   and  in  the  course  of  a  week  or  ten 
days   1  was  al)le  to  start  cm  foot  for  my  trading  house, 
about  thirty-five  nules  distant,   wliicli  I  reached  in  two 
days,  nuich  to  the  joy  and  astonishment  of  my  men.       l 
can  not  conc^eive   \viiy  I  have  lost  from  my  memory  the 
name  of   those   hospitable    people,    who  took  me  into 
their  house  ?»■  I  nursed  me  so  kindly,  but  so  it  is.  and  tlieir 
name  I  can  not  remember.     I  never  saw  them  but  once 
afterward, 

I  found  my  house  was  nearly  completed.  I  had  a  good 
appetite,  and  increased  daily  in  strength,  so  that  I  was 
soon  able  to  hunt  on  the  river  bottom,  ranging  two  or 


1 


t 


no 


tliit'c  inih's  JVoin  til,.  Iioiisf.     One  hiinlii,  ^',,v«'Ml) 
iji.U"  1  Ntiirtrd  out  for  n  liirkcv  limit,  niul 


K'l'  iMoin- 


soon  "illlH'  JICroNS 


some  I'lvsli  lioisc  I iiicivs  which    I  siipixjs.Ml   v,(Mt' Ihosc  of 


llldi 


ii:i  limit's,  :ni(l  <-!iV('lh<"iM  iio  riirthci' thiHi-iht;  hut 


at 


i\  litth'  nvrk  I  s:i\v  ilic  titicksiiuMin,  jindln  :i  iihkM y  spot 
1  iiolicod  tlit'l'ivsh  iinpivssioii  of;,  liors.'-shop,  mikI  so  t'ol- 
lowrd  (iM-ir  tiiiil,  :iii(l  .-irtcr  ;il.oiil  n  niih>  li:iv<-l  cMni.'  up 
with  the  iJ(hT,s  iiiid  round  th.-ni  t(»  he  Mr.  .),,hii  Wood 
•'■'>.   <»ii    llK'ii-  w.'iy  to  tht'  iiiilitiiiv   tnict  to 


and  Mr.  Tihl 


lorjitc  soldiers'  hmd-uiirruiits.     1  thoii,<i'ht  tl 
(tlioM.uh  the  (Toveriioridwiiys  denied  it),  ns  tl 
in  the  direct  course,  :ind  theii-  tnicl 


ie\'    were  lost 


ley  \v<>re  not 
vs  niiide  51  stiiiiiue  cir- 


cuit I'or  persons  kiio\vin;:>-  their  wheivjibonts.  I  led  them 
to  my  lious«.  ami  i)repiii'e(l  Tor  tliem  tlie  hest  meal  in  my 
povviM-,  of  which  theyjite  very  heiirtlly  nnd  witli  decided 
lelish.  (ioveinor  Wood  ]i;is  often  told  me  tliatit  wsisthe 
best  meal  he  ever  ate,  1  am  (piite  williii^-to  believe  it  w 
good,  and  Hatter  mysell"  that  (he  cooking- 1  did  in  tl 
days,  if  not  in  the  sty]<'  of  a  French  cook 


is 


in  tJlose 


was,  for  plain 
have  nev(M' tasted  of 


lose 


food,  deservini;-  of  ,<;-reat  prais(\      1  1 

iiny  roast  tui-key  that  seemed  to  me  so  excellent  as  1 1 

fat  wild  ones  killed  and  prepared  by  my  own  hands. 

I  used  to  lian^-  tliem  in  front  of  my  lai«»e  1ii-e  place  sns- 
liendedl)y  a  string,  and  .iiently  tuiii  them  with  a  long 
stick  until  th<\v  were  nicely  brown(>d,  and  then  with  fat 
jaccoon  or  bear  meat  Itoiled,  1  had  a,  dinner  lit  for  a  kinu'. 
My  iK'w  found  friends  hd't  me  in  the  a fternocm  though  I 
tried  liai-d  to  detain  them;  like  most  of  tlie 


Yankees"    of    those   early   davs   tliey 


stayed.     J^oth  of  these  aentl 


enterpi'ising 
could    not  be 


emen  located  in  Quincv,  Illi- 


nois,  became  prominent  citizens,  and  finalv  died  thei 


Mr.  Wood  was  at  one  time  ( 


■e. 


Tovernorof  the  State  of  Illi- 


Ill 

nois,  iind    I  t'Vci-  coiisidcivd   him  iis  one  of  my  waniieMt 
i'l'ieiuls. 

My  hoiis.'  wjis  soon  ('(>mi)let('(l  mikI  riiiiiisli«Ml  with  floor, 
thive-Icov.-.  St  .,|N,  tJihlc,  jiiul  hunks,  nil  niiidnot'  i>iinrji- 
eons.  It  wiis  li<-hh'(l  hy  a  \vin(h)\v  in  tiic  south  end,  nijidn 
of  two  sheets  of  roolscai)  i^iper  nictdy  greased;  iind  .vith 
aline  hiri-iM'lay  (;himney  that  would  take  in  a,  six-l'oot 
log,  1  IVIt  that  file  cold  or  storms  of  winter  'oiild  luivc 
no  terrors  for  uie. 

I  was  now  lully  recovered  in  henlth,  and  all  my  care  Jind 
anxiety  w:is  for  the  success  ol*  the  winter's  trade. 


ATT.VrKKI.    MY   AN    INDIAN      ALKXIS    sT.    MAKTIN- 

8ij.;Ki'i\(i    mi;ai:. 

■'''"'  '"'""'"'  "•"'■'■  '<i''l*' ""  .-'".l  I)..1.«„,VH,  „n,l  l„.i„K 

"  «I.-Mn«er  .•„,„„,,.  fh„„„  I  „„s  r„n...,l  ,„  ,U,,„.,„|  „„  ,„y 

'","■'■''"■"•'■•  "''<'  »^"'  >vWI,.„.,|u.i,„„.|  „-i(l,  ,|„.„,,  „,  k„„„ 
Hliom  toliirsi. 

„  ".  ""r  ""'■  '■"■^^ '"  -'>■'■  "'"  '"'li.-H.  I...nl,.>-s  « „n 

"''*•;"/""'"'""""> •■  -  H,a(,  ,1,.,.  .nitht,  ,ive 

"""'■:.■;.'""" •" '. --1.  m,l,.,,l.  it  womM  W 

r"  "'"'"•""•  ''■ i'<n'«ssn,h:  r,„.  .i,,.,,,  ,„  i„„„,  >,i,|,„„t 

the  n«.e»Hn.,y,.l,„i,i„„,  suns,  „n,l  ,„„„„i ,.     t|„.  ,•„„ 

■l.hons  „f  this  ,.,,.,lit  w,.,.o  tl.it  tl,e8«  mlv„„c™  ,l,„ul,l  I,. 

imul  lr„„,  ,|„.  |„,M Is  of  tl.eir  first  wint,..'.  l,„„t  l,„t 

sliouW  ,l,.y  f„i|  u,  p,,v,  „rt,.,.  |,„vi„g  devoted  .11  il.ei,. 
u,'s  tor  the  |„„i,ose.  .,,,1  shown  .  disposition  to  ,ct 
Ixmes  ly,  the  hnlnnee  „u,  enrrie,!  over  to  the  next 
year,  bnt  this  l,al,,nfe  was  seldom  paid.  Tlie  debtors 
.■ens.,n_ed  that,  having  appropriated  the  entire  proceeds 
"  their  season  s  Hunt  to  the  iiquidation  o(  their  iiidebt- 
e.lness,  ,t  was  the  fault  of  the  Great  Spirit  that  they  had 
..ot  oeen  able  to  pay  in  full,  „,„d  ,o  tin  v  .o„..,-de..ed  the 
.lebt  ..aneeled.     We  were  veiy  caret,  1   ..h.  we  trusts! ' 

(112) 


^-% 


118 

W*^  HatiMfled  ourselves  first,  that  t]u^  person's  int.mtions 
were  honest,  nn.l  thjit  he  was  industricnis  nn.l  prrsev^M-- 
ing;  and,  K(r(,nd.  that  he  was  a  skilled  luinter  and 
trnpiuT,  mid  knrvv  wlmre  to  fin.l  K^nie  in  ai)undance. 
If  Ih.  lacked  in  tlu-se  (inallflcations  lie  was  deemed 
unworthy  of  credit,  at  h^ist  to  a  large  amount. 

I  was  applied  to  tor  credit  by  an  Indian  whom  my 
interpreter  saiu  -  lu^ver  paid,"  or  if  he  paid  at  all,  it  wan, 
only  a,  portion  of  his  indebtedness.  I  accordingly 
refused  :r,n,  .t  which  lie  was  greatly  angered  and 
threatened  revenge. 

One  niorning  shortly  after,  I  was  sitting  alone  before 
the  hre  m  my  cabin,  on  a  three-legged  stool  made  of 
p.inche<ms,  reading  a  book,  when  the  Indian  returned  and 
stole  softly  into  the  room,  and  up  behin<l  me,  with  his 
tomahawk  raised  to  strike  nie.     I  did  not  hear  him   but 
saw  Ins  shad(,w,  ami  looking  up  <,uickly  saw  him 'and 
threw  ui>  my  left  arm  just  in  time  to  arrest  the  blow  '  The 
handle  of  the  tomahawk  striking  my  arm,  it  was  thrown 
fron.  his  hand  and  fell  on  the  flo<,r  dose  to  the  fire-place 
Ihe  corner  of  the  blade  cut  through  my  c-ap  ami  into 
my  forehead-the  mark  of  which   I   ^till   carry -while 
my  arm   was   temi)orarily  paralyzed  from  the  blow      I 
Hprang  to  my  feet  just  as  he  reached  to  his  l,elt  to  draw 
a  knife,  and  throwing  my  arms  around  his  bodv,  -ra.sped 
r>  vr  left  vM-ist  with   my   right  hand,  and   held   him   so 
firmly  that  he  could  not  draw  his  knilV^     I  allowed  him 
to  throw  me  down  on  the  floor,  and  roll  me  over  and 
over  in  his  exertions  to  liberate,  himself  and  reach  his 
knife,   while   I  made  no  exertions  except  to  keep  mv 
grip.     I  bled  profusely  from  the  wound  on  my  forehead 
and   my   eyes   were   frequently   blinded   by  the  blood' 


114 


'   ,1 


i  ; 


which  I  wiped  off  as  well  as  I  could  on  his  naked  body. 
It  was  fully  live  minutes  before  my  arm  began  to  recover 
sensitiveness,  and  a  much  longer  time  before  I  recovered 
its  full  use. 

My  grasp  was  weakening,  yet  I  clung  on  afraid  to 
trust  to  my  lame  arm.    My  opponent  was  breathing  very 
heavily,  and  I  knew  he  was  exhausting  his  strength  in  his 
efforts  to  rid  himself  of  my  embrace,  while  I  was  saving 
mine.     When  my  arm  had  sufficiently  recovered,  and  we 
had  rolled  up  to  where  the  stool  lay,  I  let  go  of  him,  and 
seizing  the  stool  struck  him  a  stunning  blow  upon  the 
head,  which  I  followed  up  with  others  on  his  head  and 
face,  until  he  showed  no  further  signs  of  life,  when  I 
seized  him  by  his  long  hair  and  dragged  him  out  of  doors, 
whooping  for  my  men,  who  soon  made  their  appearance. 
•Just  then^is  squaws  appeared  on  the  scene.  He  had  come 
■on  his  pony,  telling  them  he  was  going  to  kill  Hubbard, 
and  they  had  followed  on  as  rapidly  as  they  could  on 
foot.    They  bathed  his  head  with  cold  wat^r,  and,  greatly 
to  my  relief,  soon  restored  him  to  consciousness.  I  reflected 
that  I  had  punislied  him  too  severely,  and  regretted  that 
I  had  done  more  than  to  strike  him  the  iirst   blow  and 
then  disai-m  him.    My  men  were  greatly  alarmed,  and 
especially  so  was  my  interpreter,  whom  I  sent  to  the  chief 
of  the  band  to  exjDlain  the  case. 

The  chief  returned  with  my  man  and  blamed  me  for 
injuring  him  so  severely,  thinking  it  would  result  in  his 
death.  However,  he  used  his  influence  with  the  band  in 
my  favor,  telling  them  the  goods  were  mine,  and  that  I 
had  a  perfect  right  to  refuse  to  sell  them  on  credit  and 
to  defend  myself  when  attacked,  and  they  soon  separated 
for  their  winter  hunting  grounds,  much  to  my  relief. 


115 

The  injured  Indian  did  not  recover  so  as  to  do  any  hunt- 
ing that  winter,  and  occasionally  sent  me  a  message 
demanding  pay  for  his  injuries,  which  I  positively  refused, 
much  to  the  dissatisfaction  of  my  confidential  man. 

The  winter  -assed  and  we  were  ready  to  break  up 
daily  expecting  .  rders  from  Mr.  Deschamps  to  start  on 
the  return  trip  to  Mackinaw.  The  Indians  had  returned 
from  their  hunting  grounds  and  were  camped  some  five 
or  six  miles  from  us.  They  had  mostly  paid  up,  though 
the  wmter  had  not  been  a  successful  one  for  them. 

The  chief  was  a  young  man,  and  had  become  very 
friendly  to  me.     He  advised  me  to  give  presents  to  the 
Indian  I  had  injured  ;  but  I  still  persisted  in  my  refusal, 
determined  to  risk  the  consequences  rather  than  to  pay  a 
man  for  attempting  to  kill  me.     This  was  reported  to  my 
enem^ ,  who  had  fully  recovered  his  strength,  and  exas- 
perated him  still  further.     One  morning  he  came  with 
two  of  his  friends,  all  with  blackened  faces,  a  token  of 
war,  and  demanded  of  me  pay  for  his  injuries.     I  pgain 
refused,  telling  him  that  it  was  his  own  fault;  liuithe 
came  upon  me  stealthily,  and  would  have  killed  me  had  I 
not  discovered  him  just  in  time  to  save  myself.     While 
thus  talking  I  heard  the  tramp  of  horses,  caused  by  the 
arrival  of  the  chief  and  others  of  the  band,  who,  hearing 
of  his  intention  to  seek  revenge,  had  hastened  to  try  to 
effect  a  friendly  arrangement. 

On  entering  I  stated  to  the  chief  tlie  demand  made 
upon  me,  and  my  refusal,  and  that  now  he  and  his  friends 
had  come  like  men,  and  not  like  squaws,  and  that  this 
time  I  was  prepared  for  them. 

"I  came,"  I  said,  "among  you  with  goods  for  your 
accommodation  ;  trade  was  my  object,  and  I  have  as  iiiuch 


116 


t  -U'  '■         I 


t',.   f 


It      3 


right  to  do  as  I  please  with  my  goods  as  you  have  with 
the  pony  you  ride.     You  would  not  allow  any  one  to  take 
him  without  your  consent ;  and,  should  any  one  attempt 
to  take  him  by  force,  would  you  not  defend  yourself? 
Or  would  you,  like  a  cowaixl,  give  him  up  >    Say,  would 
you  ?"     "  No,"  he  replied.     "  Neither  did  I,  nor  wiU  I. 
I  am  very  sorry  for  what  I   did— I  mean,   the  result, 
causing  the  loss  of  his  winter's  hunt ;  but  I  will  not  pay 
him  for  it. ' '     The  chief  said  to  them,  ' '  The  trader  is  right ; 
the  goods  were  his ;  he  would  not  trust  because  our  friend 
(pointing  to  the  interi)retej)  said  you  never  paid.     We 
all  know  that  is  trae."     After  a  moment  of  silence  the 
Indian  extended  his  hand  to  me,  which  I  took.     "Now," 
I  said,   "we  are  friends,  and  I  wish  to  give  you  some 
evidence  of  my  friendship,  not  to  pay  you,  but  only  as  a 
token  of  my  good  will."     We  all  had  a  smoke,  and  I 
presented  him  with  articles  he  most  needed,  much  to  his 
surprise.     And  so  that  difficulty  was  ended,  much  to  the 
satisfaction  of  my  men,    who  were  fearful  that  great 
trouble  would  result  from  it. 

About  ten  days  after  the  above  settlement  I  received 
orders  from  Mr.  Deschamps  to  vacate  my  post  and 
join  the  ' '  brigade' '  at  Beason' s  post.  There  we  remained 
a  Aveek  or  more,  during  whirl i  time  I  formed  an  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  settlers  at  Peoria. 

About  the  first  of  April  we  resumed  our  journey  toward 
Mackinaw,  proceeding  leisurely,  and  reaching  Chicago  in 
due  season,  where,  as  usual,  I  found  a  warm  welcome  from 
the  Kinzie  family  and  officers  of  the  fort.  A  week  or  ten 
days  was  thus  joyfully  spent,  and  I  deeply  regretted  the 
day  of  our  departure. 
Coasting,  as  before,  the  east  shore  of  Lake  Michigan, 


117 

we  arrived  at  Mackinaw  early  in  June.  On  the  sixth  of 
that  month  I  was  present  when  Alexis  St.  Martin  was 
shot,  and  am  probably  the  only  living  person  who  wit- 
nessed the  accident. 

The  late  Major  John  H.  Kinzie  had  charge  of  the 
American  Fur  Company's  retail  store  at  Michilimackinac. 
I  was  in  the  habit  of  assisting  him  occasionally  when  a 
press  of  customers  needed  extra  clerks.  The  store  com- 
prised the  ground  floor  near  the  foot  of  Fort  Hill,  on  the 
corner  of  the  street  and  the  road  leading  up  to  the  fort. 
The  rear  part  of  the  store  was  underground,  built  of  stone, 
which  is  still  standing. 

This  St.  Martin  was  at  the  time  one  of  the  American 
Fur  Company's  engagees,  who,  with  quite  a  number  of 
others,  was  in  the  store.  One  of  the  party  was  holding  a 
shot-gun  (not  a  musket),  which  wa^  accidentally  dis- 
charged, the  whole  charge  entering  St.  Martin's  body. 
The  muzzle  was  not  over  three  feet  from  him-I  think  not 
•over  two.  The  wadding  entered,  as  well  as  pieces  of  his 
clothing ;  his  shirt  took  fire  ;  he  fell,  as  we  supposed, 
dead. 

Br.  Beaumont,  the  surgeon  of  the  fort,  was  immedi- 
ately sent  for,  and  reached  the  wounded  man  within  a 
very  short  time-probably  three  minutes.  We  had  just 
got  him  on  a  cot  and  were  taking  oft'  some  of  his  clothing. 

After  Br.  Beaumont  had  extracted  part  of  the  shot, 
pieces  of  clothing,  and  dressed  his  wound  carefully- 
Robert  Stewart  and  others  assisting-he  left  him,  remark- 
ing, -The  man  can't  live  thirty-six  hours;  I  will  come 
and  see  him  bye  and  bye."  In  two  or  three  hours  he 
visited  him  again,  expressing  surprise  at  finding  him 
domg  better  than  he  anticipated. 


118 


|!|    ,     i 


I      ! 


p 


The  next  day,  T  think,  he  resolved  on  a  course  of  treat- 
ment, and  brought  down  liis  instruments,  getting  out  more 
shot  and  (5lotliing,  cutting  off  ragged  ends  of  the  wound, 
and  made  frequent  visits,  seeming  very  much  interested, 
informing  Mr.  Stewart  in  my  presence  that  he  tliought 
lie  could  save  liim. 

As  soon  as  the  man  could  be  moved  he  was  taken  to 
the  fort  hospital,  where  Dr.  Beaumont  could  give  him 
better  attention.  About  this  time,  if  I  am  not  greatly 
mistjiken,  the  doctor  announced  that  he  was  treating 
his  patient  with  a,  view  to  experimenting  on  his 
stonuK^h,  being  satisfied  of  his  recovery.  You  know  the 
result. 

I  knew  Dr.  Beaumont  very  well.  The  experiment  of 
introducing  food  into  the  stomach  through  the  orifice 
purposely  kept  ()i)en  and  healed  with  that  object,  was 
conceived  by  the  doctor  veiy  soon  after  the  first 
exaniination. 

My  duties  in  the  assorting  and  packing  warehouse 
that  summer  gave  me  but  little  time  for  recreation.  In 
fact,  until  after  six  o'clock  in  the  evening,  I  had  no  time 
to  myself,  and  1  frequently  worked  until  midnight. 
Sunday  afternoon  was  the  only  time  at  which  I  felt 
fully  at  leisure  to  visit  my  friends,  and  that  was  passed 
either  at  Mrs.  Fisher's,  Mrs.  Lii  Fromboise's,  Mrs.  Mitch- 
ell's, Mr.  Davenport's  or  Mr.  Dousman's,  at  any  of  which 
places  I  was  eve:  a  welcome  xisitor.  Thus  was  completed 
the  fouith  year  of  my  life  as  an  Indian  trader. 

I'arly  in  the  fall  I  left  Mackinaw  in  the  usual  way 
for  my  liftli  winter  in  the  Indian  country.  By  request 
of  Mr.  Crooks  we  invited  a  gentleman  to  accompany  us, 
who  desired  to  visit  Southern  Illinois.     He  was  a  ger 


119 

man  of  intelligence;  in  figure,  tall  and  gjiiint,  and  pos- 
sessed of  one  of  those  inquisitive  minds  whicih  ever 
denotes  the  genuine  "Yankee."  He  was  continually 
asking  questions  and  wanting  an  explanation  of  every 
thing  he  saw  or  heard,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  pry  into 
our  private  affairs  and  investigate  our  personal  charac- 
teristics. He  was  exceedingly  awkward  in  his  positions 
in  the  hojit  and  camp,  and  could  never  accustom  himself 
to  sitting  "tailor  fashion."  His  Jimbs  and  body  were 
in  a  continuous  change  of  "  sprawl,"  and  at  times  inter- 
fering with  the  motions  of  the  oarsman  and  forcing  an 
involuntary '"sacre"  from  the  voyageurs,  who  were  pro- 
verbial for  polit^eness  and  natural  grace.  To  them  he 
became  ali/ernately  an  amusement  and  an  annoyance, 
and  as  he  could  not  understand  their  language,  numer- 
ous jokes  were4ndulged  in  at  his  expense,  and  he  was 
nicknamed  "La  Beaute." 

At  one  time  we  were  caught  in  a  wind-stomi  which 
compelled  us  to  land  and  draw  our  boats  up  on  the 
beach.  On  such  occasions  it  was  customary  for  the  men 
to  carry  the  Bourgeois  ashore  on  their  back.  Our  guest 
straddled  the  shoulders  of  one  of  the  men,  who  pur- 
posely fell,  taking  care  that  his  rider  should  full  under 
him  and  become  completely  submerged,  at  the  same  time 
exclaiming,  "M(m  Dieu,  monsieur,  excusez  moi,"  and 
qui(;kly  helping  him  to  his  feet  continued  his  apologies. 
Seeing  our  friend  completely  drenched,  the  water  drip- 
ping from  his  clothing,  and  his  hat  floating  off  on  the 
waves  while  the  voyagear  seemed  so  sincere  in  his  apolo- 
gi(\s,  was  too  much  for  our  siler^t  endurance,  and  we  all 
brok(^  out  into  peals  of  laughter,  in  which  our  diipping 
passenger  heartily  joined.     His  company  wjis  sigreeable 


120 

to  all  ^ve  the  voyageurs  and  he  was  always  invited  to 
choose  which  boat  he  preferred  to  ride  in  for  the  day. 

We  reached  Oalf  River  without  any  particular  incident, 
where  we  camped,  and  on  the  following  morning  I  invited 
our  friend  to  walk  with  me  to  the  top  of  "  Sleeping  Bear," 
and  join  the  boats  when  they  reached  its  base.    ' '  Sleeping 
Bear"  wasahigh  bluff,  six  or  eight  hundred  feet  above  the 
lake.    With  the  exception  of  a  small  clump  of  trees,  its  top 
was  a  naked  plain  of  sand  without  vegetation  of  any  kind. 
Its  lake  front  was  very  steep,  and  it  was  with  great  diffi- 
culty and  exertion  that  it  could  be  ascended;  the  loose 
sand  into  which  one  sank  several  inches  at  each  step, 
slid  downward  carrying  one  with  it,  so  that  progress  was 
slow  and  tedious.     To  tvalk  down  was  impossible  unless 
one  went  backward,  and  in  a  stooping  posture.     It  wa.s 
real  sport  to  go  down  by  quick  succes^ve  Jumps,  and 
fortunate  was  the  individual  who  could  accomplish  it 
without  losing  his  balance,  falling  over  and  rolling  to  the 
bottom,  where  he  arrived  with  mouth,  nose,  and  ears  filled 
with  the  fine  shifting  sand,  though  there  was  little  or  no 
danger  of  anything  more  serious. 

We  reached  the  summit,  and  after  ewing  the  lake 
and  country,  and  our  boats  having  arrived  at  the  base,  I 
said  to  my  friend,  ''  We  must  descend  by  jumps;  take  as 
long  leaps  as  you  can,  and  don' t  stop ;  follow  me";  and 
with  a  loud  "whoop  "  to  attract  the  attention  of  the 
boatmen,  I  went  down  by  quick  jumps,  but  before  reach- 
ing  the  bottom  heard  the  shouts  of  the  voyageurs,  and 
though  I  could  not  look  back,  I  knew  full  well  the  cause. 
When  I  had  arrived  at  the  bottom,  I  looked  back  and 
saw  my  companion  struggling  and  rolling,  while  the 
sand  flew  in  every  direction.     He  landed  close  to  my  feet 


121 

pale  and  frightened,  but  otherwise  unharmed.  The 
men  screamed  with  laughter,  much,  as  I  thought, 
to  the  annoyance  of  our  passenger,  though  he  made  no 
complaint,  and  having  been  brushed  off,  took  his  seat  in 
the  boat,  and  we  proceeded  on  our  way. 

This  incident  served  for  a  standing  joke,  and  many 
times  was  the  laughter  renewed  when  the  ludicrous ' 
affair  was  again  presented  to  our  minds.  Although  we 
had  enjoyed  ourselves  so  much  at  his  expense,  we 
learned  to  like  him  for  his  many  good  qualities,  and 
when  we  parted  with  him  at  Peoria,  it  was  with  many 
and  sincere  regrets. 

Our  trip  was  a  tedious  one,  we  being  kept  many  days  in 
camp  by  heavy  adverse  winds.  We  were  nearly  a  month 
in  reaching  Chicago,  where,  as  usual,  I  was  welcomed 
by  my  friends,  the  Kinzies,  who,  with  Dr.  Wolcott, 
rendered  me  many  kind  services. 

At  Chicago  I  found  Pierre  Chouteau,  Jr.,  of  St.  Louis, 
vi^hose  acquaii  mce  I  had  formed  several  years  before, 
and  who  now-  ,>iOposed  that  I  should  enter  their  employ 
at  the  expiration  of  my  engagement  with  the  American 
Fur  Company ;  during  my  two  weeks'  stay  we  became 
very  intimate.  The  officers  of  the  fort  were  good  com- 
panions, and  I  passed  much  of  my  time  with  them,  and 
very  pleasantly,  and  much  regretted  the  time  of  parting. 
We  encountered  the  usual  trials  and  hardships  between 
Chicago  and  Starved  Rock,  and  in  due  season  arrived  at 
Bureau  Post,  where  I  had  passed  my  first  winter,  and 
Mr.  Beebeau  having  died  since  our  departure  the  previous 
spring,  I  was  placed  in  charge. 

An  opposition  trader  named  Antoine  Bourbonais,  who 
was  supplied  with  goods   from  St.    Louis,  had  located 


:      ■ 


If    ;    ' 


I     3! 


122 

there.  He  was  a  large,  portly  man,  and  for  one  of  his 
years,  was  very  energet,i(;,  and  was  an  old,  experienced 
trade  Mr.  DcHciuunpH  told  ine  of  his  virrues  and  fail- 
ings, wariKHi  nie  of  his  tricks,  and  cautioned  mo  as  to  my 
intercourse  with  him.  My  old  Indian  friends,  Wa-ba 
and  Shauh-e-nee,  wore  also  here  to  wtOcomo  me. 

It  was  late  in  the  season  when  wo  arrived,  and  Bour- 
honais  had  already  heen  locatt>d  for  more  than  a  month, 
and  in  him  I  fimnd  a  strong  competitor.     He  was  })os- 
sessiHl  of  a  "  foxy"  sharpn(!ss,  was  fond  of  his  cups,  and 
when  under  tluur  influence,  inclined  to  he  quarrelsome. 
I  was  as  friendly  toward  him  as  could  he  expected,  and 
while  W(^  treated  eai^h  oIIkm-  with  iT>spe(;t.   wo  watched 
each   other  closely,   each   striving    to  supply   the   best 
iumters  with  their  winter  outiits,  and   in  this  we  exer- 
cised all  the  secresy  and  stratt^gy  in  our  i)ovver;  hut  after 
the  Indians  had  receivi^d  their  suppli(>s  and  departed  to 
tlu>ir  hunting  grounds,  our  int(M'coursi\  was  very  friendly. 
The  time  soon  ari-ived   when  wo  were  to   visit  the 
cami)s  of  the  Indians  in  tlu>  interior  and  endeavor  to 
securer  their  furs,  collect  the  amounts  with  which  they 
had  been  ci-edited,  and  sell  to  them  the  goods  which  we 
carried  with  us.     Bourbonais  had  five  or  six  horses,  while 
I  had  none,  which  of  course  gavt^  him  a  gi-eat  advantage, 
as  he  could  pack  his  goods  onto  the  horses,  and  retui'n 
with  his  furs  in  the  sauK^  maimer,  while  I  depended  on 
the  backs  of  my  men. 

With  a  light  load,  my  men  could  travel  as  last  as  the 
horses,  that  depended  for  their  subsistence  on  foraging 
on  the  half-de;ul  grass  of  the  bottom  lands. 

To  know  when  and  where  an  expedition  was  to  go 
was  very  necessai-y.  and  en-ery  strategy  was  resorted  to, 


IL 


123 

and  considonul  porfectly  fair,  to  coiummiI  tlione  fu(;ts  from 
each  other.  Ah  a  coiiHoquence,  wo  watched  (?ach  othc^r 
coriHtantly,  sonietiineH  quarreled,  thougli  imvv.'  coming 
to  hlowH,  (iiiickly  becoming  frieinlly  again,  and  fr"qiiontly 
telUnj;  how  one  liad  outwitted  the  other  in  the  course 
of  trade.  We  both  had  a  laborious  and  exciitinj;  winter, 
thougli  neither  cut  the  |)rice8  on  leading  articles. 

Atonetini(\  I  learned  from  an  Indian  that  Bourbonais 
was  i)acking  uj)  soino  bales  of  goods,  and  we  had  noticed 
that  he  had  gathei-ed  his  horses  in  from  their  feeding 
grounds  ostensibly  to  salt  them,  all  of  which  led  me  to 
suspect  that  an  exi)edition  was  bcnng  fitt(Ml  out,  and  I 
detailed  a  man  to  wat(;h.  Just  before  dayligjit,  my  man 
report(Ml  that  two  horses  were  loaded  with  goods  and 
anothei-  saddled,  which  convin(;(3d  me  that  Bourbonais 
was  himself  going,  as  he  usually  rode,  being  too  (ilumsy 
to  walk.  To  ascertain  vvhei'e  they  were  going,  I  hired 
an  Indian,  who  liai)pen(Ml  to  be  at  my  house,  to  follow 
at  a  distan(;e,  pretending  to  hunt,  until  they  should 
leave  the  timber  and  take  tlunr  course  over  the  praiiie. 

In  the  meanwhile,  I  pi"(!pared  threes  bales  of  goods,  of 
twenty-five  pounds  each,  and  detailed  three  of  my  men 
to  carry  tiiem,  giving  Noel  Vasseur  charge  of  the  expe- 
dition, with  instructions  to  take  the  track  and  overtake 
Bourbonais  that  day,  and,  if  possible,  p;iss  him  without 
being  secMi ;  but  if  unable  to  do  that,  to  camp  with  him 
for  the  night.  The  Indian  returning,  reported  the  <;ourse 
the  expedition  had  taken,  and  we  then  knew  that  they 
were  bound  for  one  of  two  hunting  bands,  but  which 
one  we  could  not  tell. 

Vasseur  started  with  his  men  and  soon  came  in  sight 
of  Bourbonais  and  his  party,  but   being  on  the  open 


:    i 


; 


i) 


194 

prairio  could  not  pass  thom  without  being  noticed,  and 
80  decided  to  overtake  them  by  dark,  and  camp  with  or 
near  them.     Bourbonais,  finding  his  secret  discovered, 
extended  his  usual  hospitality  to  Vasseur  and  party,  and 
after  they  had  finished  their  suppers, offered  them  a  dram, 
which  was  gladly  accepted.     Vasseur  and  he  chatted  and 
drank,  until  by  daylight  the  old  man  was  dead  drunk. 
Vasseur  had  gained  a  knowledge  of  their  destination, 
and  with  his  companions  started  for  the  Indian  camps' 
knowing  full  well  that  Bourbonais  could  not  get  sobered 
up  and  catch  his  horses  on  the  range  in  time  to  overtake 
them.     By  hard  marching  Vasseur  found  the  camp,  col- 
lected some  of  the  debts,  and  bought  all  the  surplus  furs 
and  peltries  by  the  time  Bourbonais  reached  the  camp. 
The  old  man  was  much  moi-tified  and  angered  when  he 
discovered  how  he  had  been  outwitted,  but  soon  got  over 
it,  and  together  he  and  Vasseur,  visited  the  other  band, 
collected  their  credits,  and  returned  home.     In  this  man- 
ner the  winter  was  passed. 

On    Mr.   Deschamps'  return    he  bought  Bourbonais' 
furs,  engaged  hin>  in  the  service  of  the  American  Fur 
Company,  and  he  was  afterwards  stationed  at  Kankakee, 
where  he  died.  Mr.  Deschamps  was  well  satisfied  with  the 
result  of  my  winter's  trade,  it  being  much  better  than  he 
had  anticipated.    The  season  had  been  an  unusually  good 
one,  and  we  had  accunuilated    more  furs  and   peltries 
than  oui  boats  could  carry  up  the  Desplaines  River,  and 
I  was  accordingly    dispatched  with  four  boat  loads  to 
Chicago ;   these  I  stored  with    Mr.  John    Crafts,   and 
returned  to  the  "brigade,"  when  we  all  moved  forward 
on  our  annual  return  to  Mackinaw.    A  portion  of  our  furs 
were  shipped  from  Chicago,  for  the  first  time,  in  a  small 
schooner  wliich  had  brought  supplies  for  the  garrison. 


! 


PA-PA-MA-TA-BE— FROM    ST.    JOSEPH  TO  THE  KANKAKEE— 

—  "HUBBAHD's  TRAH."— UNDER  THE  ICE— 

PEORIA  AND  ST.  LOUIH. 

In  tlie  month  of  March  (iS28),  I  had  occasion  to  go 
alone  to  see  some  Indians  wlio  were  camped  at  "Big 
Woods"  on  Fox  Rivei-,  in  Du  Page  County,  west  of 
Chicago. 

After  I  had  transacted  my  business  with  them,  and  the 
evening  before  my  return  home,  an  Indian  who  belonged 
to  another  band,  whicli  was  camped  about  ten  miles 
distant,  came  into  the  wigwam  where  I  was,  and  said 
he  was  going  to  my  trading  house.  I  gave  him  some 
supper,  and  told  him  I  should  start  in  the  morning  and 
that  he  could  accompany  me,  to  which  he  assented.  We 
started  in  the  morning  as  early  as  we  could  see  to  travel, 
and  found  the  ground  soft  and  nuiddy,  and  the  walking 
hard  and  tedious,  but  I  noticed  that  my  companion 
walked  very  fast. 

About  noon  he  stopped  to  smoke,  but  having  made  up 
my  mind  that  he  wanted  to  race,  I  kept  on  as  fast  as 
possible  and  got  a  long  distance  ahead  of  him. 

When  I  reached  the  Illinois  River  above  Hennepin, 
and  opposite  my  trading  house,   I  discovered  that  the 

(125) 


".jJf 


120 


1  i  H< 


■    1 


canoe  which  I  had  loft  tlioie  had  heen  stolon.  Tho  bot- 
tom lands  woro  ovorflowed  fi-oni  tho  river  to  the  bluffs. 
I  finally  got  upon  a  log,  and  by  pulling  on  the  bushes  and 
pushing  with  a  stick,  managed  to  propel  it  to  the  bank 
of  the  river. 

I  shouted  to  my  men,  and  waited  a  long  time  for 
them  to  answer,  but  receiving  no  response,  I  jumped  in 
and  swam  across,  reaching  my  house  about  dark. 

The  following  morning  I  sent  my  men  back  across  the 
river  to  look  for  the  Indian;  they  found  him  with  a 
party  of  others  on  horseback,  very  nmch  chagrined  and 
disappointed  at  his  defeat.  I  then  learned  that  the 
band  which  I  had  visited  had  made  a  wager  with  the 
band  to  which  my  companion  of  the  day  before  belonged 
that  I  could  outwalk  any  one  they  could  produce,  and 
they  had  planned  the  race  without  intending  that  I 
should  know  of  it. 

The  distance  walked  that  day  is  seventy-five  miles, 
in  a  direct  line,  according  to  the  present  survey.  I 
suffered  no  inconvenience  from  it,  though  the  Indian 
was  very  lame  for  a  day  or  so. 

Some  have  doubted  tiiat  I  could  have  walked  so  great 
a  distance,  but  I  was  then  young  and  in  my  prime,  and 
had  long  had  the  reputation  among  the  Indians  of  being  a 
very  rapid  traveler,  and  had,  in  consequence,  been  named 
by  them  Pa-pa-ma-ta-be,  "  The  Swift  Walker." 

It  was  a  well-known  fact,  at  that  time,  that  Pierre  Le 
Claire,  who  carried  the  news  of  the  war  of  1812,  was  sent 
by  Major  Robert  Forsythe  to  his  uncle,  Mr.  John  Kinzie, 
at  Chicago,  and  that  he  walked  from  the  mouth  of  St. 
Joseph  River  around  Lake  Michigan  to  Chicago,  a  dis- 
tance of  ninety  miles,  in  one  continuous  walk. 


197 

Ho  arrived  at  Mr.  Kinzie's,  ate  his  supper,  and  crossed 
over  the  river  to  report  to  the  officers  of  Fort  Dearborn, 
before  nine  o'clock  at  night,  having  started  before  day- 
light from  St.  Joseph  river. 


We  made  our  usual  stay  in  Chicago,  I  among  my  good 
friends,  and  without  incident  worthy  of  note,  arrived  in 
due  season  at  Mackinaw.  I  was  placed  in  entire  charge 
of  the  receiving  of  furs,  assorting-  and  packing  them  for 
shipment.  It  was  a  full  two  months'  work,  of  hard, 
fatiguing  duty.  All  the  furred  skins,  except  nmskrats 
and  wolves,  had  each  to  pass  my  inspection,  and  wlien 
examined,  all  the  finer,  fancy  furs,  were  to  be  assorted 
as  to  shades  of  cobr,  as  well  as  to  fineness  of  fur.  I  was 
furnished  with  assistants  who,  after  I  had  assorted  the 
furs,  counted  and  delivered  them  to  the  packers  to  press, 
tie,  mark,  and  store,  ready  for  shipment,  one  hundred 
voijageurs  being  detailed  for  this  duty.  The  roll  was 
called  regularly  at  six  o'clock  in  the  moining,  and  with 
the  exception  of  one  liour's  intermission  at  noon,  our 
labors  were  incessant  until  six  at  night. 

After  the  day's  labor  was  ended,  I  was  required  to 
make  up  an  account  showing  the  total  of  that  day's 
work.  The  statement  for  each  outfit  was  kept  separate 
on  my  packing-house  book,  from  which  it  was  drawn 
off  by  myself  or  one  of  my  assistants,  and  filed  with  the 
book-keeper  in  the  general  t)fiice. 

Complaints  were  fi-equently  made  that  I  assorted  too 
closely,  and  not  unfrequently  Mr.  Stewart  would  himself 
re-assort,  with  the  manager  of  the  "  brigade,"  who  was 
interest(^d  in  making  his  returns  appear  as  large  as  pos- 
sible, but  usually  my  assorting  was  apjjroved.      I  made 


128 

it    an   invariable  rule  never  to  open    and  re-assort  a 
pack. 

The  different  outfits  were  required  to  furnish  me  a  list 
of  their  packs,  their  contents,  and  number  of  skins  unas- 
sorted.     One  of  my  assistants  opened  each  pack  and 
counted  the  skins,  and  if  found  to  be  short  it  was  his 
duty  to  notify  the  chief  of  the  "outfit "  or  his  represent- 
ative, who  was  usually   present,  in  order  that  his  count 
mi^ht  be  corrected,  and  my  returns  when  made  agree 
with  his,  and  errors  and  dissatisfaction  be  thus  prevented. 
I  was  glad  to  reach  the  close  of  this  summer's  duties. 
It  was  very  fatiguing  work  to  stoop  over  and  assort 
from  morning  until  night.     I  had  no  time  for  rest  or  re- 
creation   until   the   last  skin   was    in  pack   ready  for 
shipment. 

The  packs  were  very  neatly  put  up  in  frames,  nearly 
square  in  form,  and  intended  to  weigh  about  one  hun- 
dred pounds  each.  It  required  much  practice  before  the 
men  selected  for  that  purpose  became  experts.  The 
skins  must  be  placed  in  proper  positions,  evenly  distrib- 
uted, so  as  to  make  the  pack  press  equally,  the  ends 
built  up  straight,  so  as  to  show  no  depressions  or  elonga- 
tions, and  a  failure  in  either  of  these  particulars  necessi- 
tated repacking. 

The  different  kir  is  of  skins  were  packed  in  different 
ways,  each  kind  having  its  own  peculiar  manner  of  fold- 
ing, while  all  packs  were  required  to  be  of  the  same 
size ;  and  wlinn  taken  from  the  press,  they  resembled 
huge  reams  of  paper,  so  even  and  uniform  were  the  ends 
and  sides.  We  used  screw  presses,  worked  b}-  hand, 
and  if  a  pack  came  from  the  press  without  filling  all  the 

requirements,  it  was  repacked  and  repressed.     Ficb  nnrV 

—  f"- — 


1211 

wn.s  then  „un,l„.,o.l,  a„,l  an  invoice  of  its  contents^ n,a,lo 
wliK'h  received  the  same  lunnber. 

A,l.joining  the  warehouse  was  a  la.^e  yar,i,  into  „-hich 
the  pacta  were  receive,)  when  bronght  fron,  the  Indian 
.^oun  ,y  and  in  whicl,  they  were  oi«„ed.      Each  skin 
was  thoroughly  beaten  to  rid  it  of  bugs  anddnst,  and  if 
(lamp  ,t  was  ,lried,  and  then  carried  into  the  warehonse 
tor  assorting,  connting,  and  packing.     AI,out  the  n.i.ldle 
"f  August  n,y  work  was  con.pleted,  an,l  I  was  at  Uberty 
"use  ,ny  tin>e  as  I  chose.     I  en.ploye,!  it  in  visiting  my 
ti-iends,  and  thus  in.jft.oved  it  to  the  last  moment.    Again 
we   were    ready  to    depart    on  our   monotonous   lake 
voVage,  coasting  as  usual  the  east  shore  of  Lake  Mich 
igan   and  meeting  with  no  incident  worthy  of  mention 
untd   we  reached  St.  Joseph,  where  we  were  detained 
or  severa    days  by  head   winds.     My  destination  had 
heen   decided    by  Mr.    Doschamps  to  be  the  Iroquois 
country      We  knew  that  it  was  but  a  short  distance 
from  a  bend  of  the  St.  Jo.seph  River  to  the  Kankakee 
K.ver,  and  I  determined  to  endeavor  to  pass  my  boats 
and  goods  overlan.l  to  the  Kankakee,  and  thus  save  the 
renunnder  of  the  .journey  to  Chicago,  as  well  as  the 
delays  and  bardslnps  of  tl,e  old   route  through  JIud 
Ijake  and  the  Desplaines. 

From  Mr.  Burnett,  who  lived  a  little  more  than  a  nnle 
from  where  we  were  then  camped,  1  learned  that  the 
Indians  neai-  Bartrand  trading  house  had  ponies  on 
which  my  goods  could  he  packed,  and  he  thought  the 
Indians  would  also  undertake  to  pass  my  boats  across^ 
suggesting  that  by  hitching  the  tails  of  the  ponies  to  the 
boafs  they  could  be  made  to  help  considerably 
Having  concluded  a  favorable  arrangemen"t  with  the 

■7 


.;iU~^* 


I'  I 


r  I 


U   wfati! :: 


! 


Indians,  I  undeitook  the  venture,  telling  Mr.  Deschamps 
that  if  I  failed,  I  would  return  and  overtake  him  at 
Chicago. 

I  selected  my  men,  among  them  being  Noel  Vasseur, 
in  whom  I  had  the  utmost  confidence,  wrote  a  letter  to 
my  good  friends,  the  Kiiizies,  telling  them  of  the  change 
in  my  i)lans,  and  that  I  would  visit  them  after  I  got 
settled  in  my  winter  quarters.  I  sent  also  to  Mr.  Kinzie 
my  best  clothes  for  safe  keeping. 

Everything  being  in  readiness,  I  started  early  on  the 
following  morning,  and  soon  passed  an  old  Jesuit  mission, 
afterwards  occupied  by  Mr.  Coy.  We  halted  a  short  time 
at  Bai'trand's,  and  from  him  I  received  full  information 
about  the  Kankakee  Rivei-,  and  he  tendered  me  every 
assistance  in  his  power  in  making  the  crossing.  Pro- 
ceeding to  the  place  of  leaving  the  St.  Joseph  I  met  the 
Indians  with  their  ponies,  and  following  the  suggestion 
of  Mr.  Burnett,  cut  poles  and  lashed  them  a(;ross  the 
boats,  which  had  been  unloaded,  at  the  bow  and  stern. 
We  then  wove  and  tied  the  ponies'  tails  securely  to  the 
poles  at  the  stern,  and  tied  their  heads  to  the  ones  at  the 
bow.  In  order  that  the  boats  might  move  moie  easily, 
we  placed  rollers  under  them,  and  then  the  Indians  and 
squaws  commenced  urging  the  [)onies  forward.  For 
some  time  they  wei  •  awkward  and  stubborn,  some 
would  pull,  while  others  would  not,  but  by  patience  and 
perseverance,  the  men  also  pulling,  we  finally  got  them 
started  and  advanced  for  a  hundred  or  more  yards,  when 
the  ponies  came  to  a  dead  stand.  We  again  applied  the 
rollers  and  the  muscles  of  the  men,  and  succeeded  in 
making  anothei'  start,  and  the  ponies  becoming  accus- 
tomed to  the  work,  soon  got  so  they  would  make  a  quartei' 


.Tsuiasia 


of  a  mile  at  a  stretch,  and  in  this  manner  we  passed 
our  hoats  over  and  launched  them  into  the  Kankakee 
Repackmg  our  goods  and  loading  them  into  the  hoats,  we 
were  soon  ready  to  emhark.  We  found  the  Kankakee 
narrow  and  crooked,  with  sufficient  water  to  float  our 
boats,  hut  with  very  little  current. 

Our  progress  under  oars  was  at  the  rate  of  fifty  or 
sixty  miles  a  day,  and  we  met  with  no  obstacles  until  we 
reached  the  upper  rapids  or  shoals,  where  the  village  of 
Momence  is  now  located. 

From  that  point,  shallow  water  continued  at  intervals 
until  we  reached  the  mouth  of  the  Iroquois  River,  which 
river  we  ascended  to  a  trading  house,  located  a  short 
distance  below  the  present  village  of  Watseka,  which 
was  our  destination. 

The  Messrs.  Ewing,  then  of  Ft.  Wayne,  had  a  trading 
bouse  further  up  the  river,  and  opposite  the  present  vil- 
lage of  Iroquois.  This  house  was  in  charge  of  one  Cha 
bare  and  it  was  for  the  pmpose  of  opposing  him  that  I 
had  been  detailed.  Our -house  was  soon  put  in  a  habita- 
ble condition,  and  my  first  leaving  it  was  for  the  purpose 
ot  visiting  Mr.  Chabare,  with  whom,  during  the  entire 
winter,  I  continued  on  friendly  relations. 

Having  made  friends  with  the  Indians,  to  whom  I  gave 
liberal  credits,  and  having  noted  where  thev  severally 
intended  making  their  hunting  camps,  I  slipped  away  for 
a  week's  visit  to  Chicago,  principally  to  see  my  good 
friends  the  Kinzies,  having  as  usual  a  very  agreeable 
visit,  and  promising  to  return  at  Christmas  time,  which, 
however,  I  was  prevented  from  doing. 

In  the  spring  I  had  but  a  handful  of  goods  left,  and 
the  result  of  my  winter's  business  was  quite  satisfactory 


i:w 


f  Si 


In   l»«>(li  Mr.    Dcschiimps  and  ilic  m;mji};«Ms  of   lli<'(^»in- 
l>;iny  al    Mackinaw. 

llcCorc  Mr.  Dcschanips'  arrival  I  ahandon.'d  my  post 
and  \v(>nl  lo  (Miicapt,  Mhmc  Io  await  him  and  llichri- 
^adt".  It  was  al)()n(  a  month  hcforc  they  oanir,  a)  wjiich 
delay  I  was  well  pleased,  as  1  pa.ss(»d  my  tinu?  with  the 
family  of  Mr.  Kin/ic.  who,  with  Dr.  VVolcott  and  Iho 
oniciMs  of  the  fort,  made  my  visit  very  |)leasaid,  I. 
nmch  re^relted  hvivini;'.  and  rehuttanlly  |>arted  fiom 
my  friends,  nnceitain  whethei-  I  sh<»nld  ever  see  them 
ai;ain,  as  my   term  of  siM'viee  was  ahont  expiring;-. 

I  had  not  s(>ltled  in  my  nnnd  what  was  my  dnty  and 
interest.  My  inclination  l(>d  me  to  my  nioiJiei',  who 
was  strns;.i;lin.i;-  to  snpport  her  loin-  yonn^-  dan^hters. 
My  yonnj;-  hrotluM-  Christopher  had  ohtained  a  position 
in  l:he  hardware  store  of  HcMiry  Kin^-,  in  iNev,'  York,  hnt 
was  rec(Mvini;'  only  his  hoaid  for  his  s(>rviees. 

In  my  nncertainty  what  conrs(>  to  pnrsne  I  resorted, 
as  was  my  cnstom,  lo  Mv.  Kin/ie  for  advice,  and  also 
consulted  tlu^  Indian  a,i;ent.  Dv.  VVolcott,  who  was  from 
Middletown.  Conn.,  and  kne.w  my  mother  well.  It  was 
now  live  yeai's  since  I  parted  from  my  lovinj;-  Christian 
.  mother  and  my  sisters  and  hroth(>r,  and  I  was  just 
r«\ichini;-  my  majority,  with  no  knowled};e  of  the  world 
outsider  of  the  wild(>rness,  and  with  no  husiness  experi- 
ence, (>xcepting  in  the  fur  trade.  For  the  [)ast  live  years 
1  had  had  no  opportunity  to  impiove  my  mind  hy  inter- 
course with  i-etined  society  excepting  dnrin<;-  the  short 
time  I  had  pas.s(Hl  in  Chicago  and  Mackinaw,  and  while 
at  the  latter  place,  more  than  one-half  of  my  time  was 
devoted  to  hai-d  lahor.  In  my  hoyhood  days  1  had  no 
love  for  hooks  or  study  and  n»)w  that  1  felt  the  need  of 


i:{;{ 


improving-  my  „,i,|,|^  |   ,.,„,|,|  |j,„| 
''»'■  ''"'  l«'«t  .y«'ar    I    Ii;i(l   felt 


Hi). 


h 


waHto  (.(•  my   |i(o  and  Um- 


niorc  I  hail  cvor  the 


caused  mo. 


"lortificafion   my   i^(i<ii-ai 


uv 


M 


cssr, 


Ki 


ii/ic  ai 


o 


I'l    VV(.Ic(,t,t  shoiiolv  advi.scd  me  t 
roiuam  in  th,.  only  hiisincsH  for  vvliic],  I  u,,s  fitfo,!,  and 

my  luotlici-  and  sisters. 

Camillas  and  remain  in 

I'some  f'avoi-al)l(>an-an/4-eiiieiit  with 

M'ln,  witii 


to  fore^^o  tlio  pleasiin.  <»f  seeing.- 

They  advised   me  to  remit  my 

the  liKhaii  trade  imdt 

tlir  Anujrican  Fur  Company;  <„•,  if  not  vvitl7t! 


Mr.  Choi 


«'aii  of  SI.    I,(Miis,  u'h 


<Miiploym<'iit  at  a  j;-ood  salary 


<>   was  ready  to  giv 


('  me 


tiiat 


had  rost  me  five  years  to  1 


privations    and    exposures,    I 
vocation,  to  lit  me  for  uhid 


to  abandon  a   husiness 
<'arn,   under  so   maiiv 


tini«>,   seemed  to  th 
they  said 


r  some    other    uiicerlain 
I    would  consume  valuahh' 


cni   very    inadvisahle.      *'  |)( 


icy  said,  "of  the  KiirCompanva  f 


niand 


your  ahilities,  aud  if  tl 


u'r  roiisideration  for 


haw  Mr.  Clioteau   to  fall   hack 


H'y  refus(!  to  uivc.  i(,     f,| 


icn  you 


upon;  and  if  hoth  fail. 


you   are  wc-ll  (Miough  known  to  ^('1-  <redit  I 


aud  tak(5  (^hai 


1  knew  tliese  j»:eutl 


ices  on  yoiii-  own  account. 


or  an  outfit 


were  (h'sinterested  in  their  ad 


geutJemen  were  among  my  Ix^st  friench 


I  did  tlieestimat 


vice,  and  knew  hetter  tl 


liold 
p<Mid 


me 


Uiii 


ion  in  wliicrli  Messrs.  R 


laii 


unsay  and  Crooks 


pursue.     I   had  a  great  d 


coasting  voyage  gave  me  ampi,.  time  to 

mine  the  couise  to 


or  over  my  situation  and  detei 


short 
had  n 


e.sire  to  go  home,  if  onlv  foi- 


'I'^d.      I  had  less  than  one  hunded  dollars  d 

my  host  coat  was  th 


o  respectahle  clotliin< 


one  provided  for  me  wh.'ii   |   U.ft  Montreal. 


U(^  me, 
e  same 


threadi 

had   the  fashion  heeii  for  huttoiis  I 


It 


MV,   and  W(Mild  have  looked  (niite  well 


was  not 
on   me. 


alf 


•alt  way  up  the  hack 


J 


f    I; 

4 


i    'f 


il 


t 


and  sloovDs sluut  .iiid  tight.  Kive  yoais  'hoFoiv,  it  looked 
on  mo  as  though  it  was  my  fath«M''s;  now  it  looked  like  a 
half-grown  hoy's.  To  Ijavo  fitted  myself  out  in  a  manner 
to  ho  presentahle  to  the  society  of  Middl(>town  would  have 
cost  all  my  aircumulated  funds.  I  was  forced  after  du(5 
consideration  to  forego  the  pU\'isuie  of  s<HMng  those  dear 
to  me,  and  hefoie  I'eac.hing  Mackinaw  I  had  (Concluded 
to  remain  woHt—n'Iicre  to  ho  decided  when  1  saw  Mr 
Crooks.  I  felt  certain  of  a  good  ])ositi(m  in  the  employ 
of  the  Choteaus  at  St.  Louis  in  case  Mr.  Crooks'  ternis 
were  not  satisfa(ttory.  When  I  reached  Mackinaw  1 
was  a  free  man  with  more  than  ninety  dollars  to  my 
credit  on  the  hooks  of  the  company. 

Mr.  Crooks  desired  mo  to  again  take  charge  of  pack- 
ing the  furs,  which  1  consont(3d  to  do  without  any  stipu- 
lation as  to  ])rice,  hut  on  tlio  condition  that  1  sliouhi  ho 
at  liherty  to  (piit  at  any  time  hy  giving  a  few  days' 
notic(»;  this  enabled  mo  to  send  eighty  dollars  of  my  earn- 
ings to  my  mother.  As  I  was  at  work  earning  wages  I 
did  not  hesitate  to  get  from  the  i-(^tail  store,  then  in 
charge  of  Jolui  H.  Kinzie,  such  goods  and  clothing  a-  1 
desired. 

In  ahout  a  month  a  schooner  arrived  from  Cleveland 
loaded  with  corn,  tallow,  and  other  provisions  for  the 
use  of  the  Comi)any.  Siie  was  to  take  to  Butfalo  a  cargo 
of  furs,  which  were  ready  packed  for  shipment. 

I  had  hoen  negotiating  foi*  a  re-engagement,  hut  had 
declined  the  otter  made  hy  the  manag«M-s  and  had 
demanded  a  larg«M'  salary,  whiih  liad  been  refused.  The 
morning  aftei-  the  arrival  of  the  schooner  I  surprised 
Mr.  Stewart  hy  asking  him  to  fill  my  place,  as  I  liad 
decided  to  take  passage  on  the  schooner  for  Butfalo,  and 


i:{; 


my 

nun 

Mr. 


r<'qu(^Ht(>d  Itiiii  to  Hx  my  allovvaiic.'.  tli.it,  I  imVlit  settle* 
account  at  Ww  store.  I  1io|)«m1  tijnt  I  should  linve 
iK^i  left  to  tjik<'  mo  o.ist,  and  added  that  porli.ipH 
Astor  would  j^ivc  nu-  employment  in  the  fur  store 

in  New  York. 

Mr.  Stewart  seemed  much  surprised,  :uid  said  that  he 
thought  it  was  settled  that  1  should  remain  in  the 
employ  of  the  Company.  I  replied  "  No,  sir;  Icronsider  my 
services  worth  more  t,him  you  and  Mr.  Crooks  offer  me; 
iKMicel  intend  to  leave  you."  Before  the  depai-tuie  of 
the  8c]iO(mei-,  however,  th(\y  ac(;«'pted  my  offer,  and  I 
engaged  witli  t\w  Company  for  aiiother  year.  1  sliipped 
a  portion  of  my  goods  to  (Chicago  hy  a  v(>ssel  hound 
there,  and  thus  reduced  the  numl)er  of  i)oats  in  the 
bi'igade  to  five. 


'h 


1^24.— I'l.ACKI)     IN     ClIAm;!';     of     TIIK     ILLINOIS    KMVKII 

'rji.4J)IXU    POSTS, 

Mr.  Dcschanips.  liavin«»:  beconu'  old  and  woiii  by  loiij 
coiitimied  s.nvice  and  the  liaidships  to  which  ho  had 
been  exposed,  resigned  his  position  as  Superintendent  of 
the  Ilhnois  River  Tiading  Posts  of  the  American  Fur 
Company,  and  on  his  recommendation  I  was  appointed 
to  succeed  him.  \  nowdetei-mined  to  cany  out  a  project 
which  I  had  long  urged  upon  Mr.  Deschamps,  but 
without  success— that  of  uidoading  the  boats  upon  their 
arrival  at  Chicago  from  Mackinaw,  and  scuttling  them 
in  the  slough,  to  prevent  theii-  loss  by  prairie  tires, 
until  they  were  needed  to  reload  with  furs  for  the  return 
voyage. 

The  goods  and  furs  1  proi)osed  to  tiansport  to  and  from 
the  Indian  hunting  grounds  on  pack  horses.  In  this 
manner  the  long,  tedious,  and  difficult  passage  through 
Mud  Lake,  into  and  do\vn  the  l)esi)laines  River,  would  be 
avoided,  and  the  goods  taken  directly  to  the  Indians  at 
their  hunting  grounds,  instead  of  having  to  be  carried  in 
packs  on  the  backs  of  the  men.     During  the  year  18l>2.  I 


i:j7 

]ia(]  ('stal)lisli('(l  .1  dipoft  patli  or  track  fioiii  InKpiois 
post  to  Danville,  and  I  now  cxtcMulcd  it  south  from 
Danvilhi  and  noith  to  Clii('a|;o,  thus  lidly  opening- 
"Hnbhaid's  Trair'  from  Chicaiijo  to  a  point  about  <»ne 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  south  of  Danville.  Alonj-'  this 
''trail"  I  estahlislied  trading-  posts  forty  to  fifty  miles 
Hpai't.  This  'Mrail"  Ijecame  th(!  regularly  traveled 
route  l)et\yeen  ChieaKoJind  l)anvill<'  and  i)oints  ht^yond, 
and  was  desi^niated  on  tlu^  old  maps  as  "  lluhhard's 
Trail."  * 

In  the  winter  of  183;3-;34  the  GiMieral  Ass«>ml)ly  ordeivd 
that  a  State  road  he  located  from  Vincennes  to  Chicaiio. 
and  that  mile-stones  he  placed  thereon,  and  from 
Danville  tc»  Chicago  the  Connnissioners  adopted  my 
*'  trail  "  most  of  the  way,  because  it  was  the  most  direct 
route  and  on  the  most  favorable  ground.  Through 
constant  use  by  horses,  ponies,  and  men,  the  path  became 
worn  HO  deeply  into  the  ground  that  when  1  last  visited 
the  vicinity  of  my  old  Innpiois  post  (now  called  Bunkum), 
in  the  fall  of  18S0,  traces  of  it  were  still  visible,  and  my 
■grand  nephew,  a  little  lad  of  fourtetMi  years,  who  accom- 
l)anied  me  on  the  trip,  jumped  out  of  the  carriage  and  ran 
S()m(>  distance  in  the  trail  where  1  had'walked  fifty-eight 
years  before 


*NoTK.— "  Hubbard's  Trail '"  ran  throu^rh  Cook,  Will.  Kankakfu,  Inxiiiois, 
and  Vermilion  Counties,  passinj?  the  present  towns  of  Blue  Island,  llonio- 
wood.  Bloom,  Crete,  Grant,  Momence,  Beavcrvillo,  Iroiiuois,  Hoopeston,  and 
JMyersville  to  Danville,  and  southwest  through  Vermilion  and  Champaign 
Counties  to  Bement  in  Piatt  County  ;  thence  south  through  Moultrie  and 
Shelby  Counties  to  FJlue  Point  in  Effingham  County.  At  Crete,  a  fence 
hits  been  built  around  a  portion  of  this  "  trail,"  to  further  preserve  it  as  an 
"old  landmark  and  u  relic  of  early  roads  and  early  times.— M.  E.  11, 


ir 


f 


M. 


'■II 


IMS 


I  SlT). 


Tho  wint.T  ..f  lS2r>  T  passed  at  my  liocpiois  post.  The 
Inmtiii^  had  \mm  mniNiially  good,  and  lai^o  (piaiititios 
of  goods  woio  sold  and  many  fiiio  furs  (;olh.(;tcd. 

Ill  tlio  spring,   Mr.  Join.   Kin/io  got  out  of  goods  at 
Chicago,  and  sont  a  Mr.  Hall  to  me  to  rccpuvst  nw  to  go 
to  St.    Lonis  by   hoat   for  a  supply.     Mr.    Hall   was  to 
ivmaiii  and  n^anagc  n.y   hunnoss  <ha-ing   my  absence. 
Neither  Mr.  Kin/io  nor  myself  had  a  hoat  suitable  for 
the  journey,  but  h.'  thouglit  1  could  arrange,  for  one. 
Mr.    Hamlin,    of   P(,()ria,    had   a   boat   which   was   u-ell 
adapt(Ml  to  tne  purpose,  and  1  decidtul  to  send  Vasseur 
and   roiti(u- to  Peoria  to  engage  the  boat  and  prepare  it 
for  the  journey,  while  I  should  go  to  Chicago,  see  Mr. 
Kinzi(s  and  leai'ii  from  him  what  goods  wei-e  required. 
The  water  was  very   high,   and  all   the  rivers  and 
streams  had  overflowinl  their  banks.     Portier  could  not 
swim,  and  both  men  were  afraid  and  refused  to  go.     I 
assured   them   they   would   not   need  to  swim,  as  they 
could   head  all  the  streams  on   the  route;    while,    on 
the  way  to  Chicago,  I  should  be  compelled  to  ci-osJ  the 
streams,  and  probably  to  swim  them.     1   further  told 
them  that  if  they  i-efused   to  go,   I  should  dock  their 
n-ages  and  discharge    them.     In   the  morning,  having 
thought  the  matter  over  and  becoming  ashamed  of  their 
refusal,   they  announced  themselves  as  ready  to  start, 
and  did  so  as  soon  as  they  had  eaten  their  breakfasts! 
This  was  the  first  and  only  time  they  ever  refused  to 
obey  my  orders. 

I  thought  I  could  go  on  hoi-seback  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Iroquois  and   there  swim   the  Kankakee,  and  as  two 


180 


Indian  were  bound  for  that  point,  I  decided  to  accom- 
pany them.  It  had  f\o7Am  duiin^  the  night,  and  the 
moi'ning  was  very  cold.  W(^  proj^resHed  very  pleasjintly 
until  we  reached  a  small  stnnun  on  the  prairie  which 
had  overflowed  its  banks,  and  upon  which  a  new  (cover- 
ing of  ice  had  i'ormed  during  the  night,  leaving  miming 
water  between  the  two  covtuings  of  ice.  The  upper  ice 
was  not  strong  enough  for  a  man  to  walk  on,  but  the 
Indians  laid  down  and  slid  themselves  across  with  little 
difficulty.  I  rode  my  horse  to  the  stream,  and  rea(;hing 
forward  with  my  tomahawk  broke  the  ice  ahead  of  him, 
be  walking  on  the  under  ice  until  he  reached  the  middh* 
of  the  stream,  when  his  hind  feet  broke  through,  the 
girth  gave  away,  and  the  saddle  slippttd  off  behind  carry- 
ing me  with  it.  I  fell  into  the  watei'  and  was  carried  by 
the  current  ra})idly  down  the  stream  between  the  upper 
and  lower  coverings  of  ice.  t  made  two  attempts  to  gain 
my  feet,  but  the  current  was  so  swift  and  the  8pa(;e  sex 
narrow  I  could  not  break  through  the  ice. 
.  I  had  about  given  up  all  hope,  wh^n  my  hand  struck  a 
willow  bush  near  the  bank  and  thus  arrested  my  rapid 
progress.  At  the  same  time  I  stood  up  and  bumping  the 
ice  with  my  head  broke  through.  The  Indians  were 
much  astonished  to  see  me  come  u[>  through  the  ice,  and 
gave  utterance  to  their  surprise  by  a  peculiar  exclamation. 
I  recovered  my  horse  and  saddle  and  returned  to  my 
trading  house,  with  no  worse  result  than  wet  clothing 
and  a  slightly  bruised  head. 

I  had  just  completed  a  small  blackwalnut  canoe,  and 
with  this,  and  my  man  Jouibeau  to  assist  me,  I  went  to 
the  dividing  ridge,  near  where  the  city  of  Kankakee  now 
stands.    The  canoe  was  small  and  would  barely  hold  us. 


I 


li 


I   :  !>  It 


rocjuois.  ;iii<l  till' Col- 


hot li.l)MtNV(>jM(Ml,'(|.sMf«'ly  down  the  I 
louiMK  <l.'iy  nirivMl  at  Kankakee  ;  tliuiv  wo  loft  tlio canoe 
and  Htaito.!  for  C'hi.'agoon  toot.  It  was  a  warm,  thawing 
day.  and  T  could  Hcaicelr  see  on  account  of  th<'  mist.  I 
IkuI  walked  a  long  time  and  thought  I  was  on  my  "  trail " 
and  near  Blue  Island,  when  I  heard  a  gun,  and  so,m  after 
to.md  an  Indian,  who  had  shot  a  nmskrat.  This  1  ^ot 
from  him.  and  it  was  all  .lomheau  and  I  ha.1  t(»  eat  that 
day  and  the  following  one. 

The  Indian  ask.'d  when-  f  was  going,  and  when  T  told 
Imn  to  C'hicag,,.  I,,,  surprised  us  hy  saying  that  we  were 
going  the  wrong  way.  We  had  hecome  completely 
turned  a,-om.d,  and  were  then  onlyahout  two  miles  fioni 
''Yellow  Head  Point."  We  camped  that  night  on  the 
hank  of  a  creek,  near  where  Miller's  stock-farm  is  now 
l<»<ate,l.  On  the  third  day  T  reached  Chicago,  reported 
to  Mr.  Kui/ie,  and  fouud  that  he  had  started  two  men  in 
a  canoe  to  meet  meat  Peoria  with  a  list  of  the  goods 
i^Hjuired. 

The  day  following  1  started  in  auother  canoe  with  an 
old  Freuchman  for  Peoria,  and  we  got  along  without 
trouhle  until  we  reached  Peoria  Lake.     The  wind  heing 
fair,  r  made  a  small  mast  and  hoisted  a  hlanket  for  a 
sail  ;  hut  the  wind  heing  quite  strong,  the  canoe  sud- 
denly upset  when  ahout  a  half-mile  from  shoie.      My 
cr         nion   was   terribly   frightened,    but   I   made  liim 
dmg  to  the  boat,   and  soon  got   him   safely  to   land. 
We  were  three  vlays  in  making  the  trip  to  Peoria.     My 
men  had  arrive.I,  and  the  boat  was  all  prepared  for  the 
trip  to  St.    Louis.      They   had   become  nnich  alarmed 
ahout  me,  thinking  I  was  drowned,  and  were  greatly 
rejoiced  at  my  arrival.     The  next  dav  we  started  for  St 


)41 


liOiiis,  wlu'i'o  Wf  anivfd  in  (iui>  hi-jisoii  and  withoiif 
incident  worthy  of  notice.  I  Ixdi^ht  my  guo<ls,  dclivcied 
them  at  C!hica>^o,  and  ictiinicd  as  (|nickly  uh  possihic  Io 
my  poHt  at  Ii(»(|uois. 

Wc  \v«'rc  in  a  state  of  somi-staivation  this  spiin^', 
ht'ing  comi)cllod  to  liv(»  ahnost  entirely  on  corn.  My  . 
meii  wei-e  hnsy  sphttin^  lails  to  W'nci.)  in  a  patch  of 
gronnd  I'oia  garden,  in  which  T  hoped  to  raise  vegeta  hies 
for  the  followinf;-  winter's  consnmption.  Mt'at  was 
innch  desired,  hnt  hard  to  procnre. 

1  had  a  large  douiestitM-at  that  enjoyed  the  freedom  t)f 
the  honse  and  store,  an«l  ni)on  packing  my  winlei's  col- 
lection of  fnrs  for  transportation  to  (Jhi(;ago,  I  discov- 
ei'ed  that  tlie  cat  had  gnawed  the  ends  of  some  of  them, 
where  meat  had  heen  left  in  skinning.  I  was  vei-y  nnich 
V(»xe(l  at  the  discovery.  Looking  np  I  saw  the  cat  sitting 
in  the  store  window,  and  taking  my  rifie,  shot  hinr  He 
fell  inside,  ;ind  crawled  hehind  a  hale  of  cloth,  where 
he  remained  nntil  [  removed  th(»  goods,  when  1  fonnd 
and  killed  him.  I  took  him  out  and  gave  him  to  the 
Indian  cook,  telling  him  that  the  skin  would  make  him 
a  nice  tohacco  pouch.  Just  hefoie  dinner  time  I  went 
out  again  and  asked  the  cook  what  he  had  done  with 
the  cat.  He  answ^ered  me  by  pointing  to  tho  kettle  in 
which  the  corn  soup  was  cooking  for  the  men's  dinner. 
I  laughed,  but  said  nothing. 

When  the  men  came  in  and  smelled  the  savory  stew 
they  were  greatly  pleased  at  the  thought  of  having  meat 
foi-  (limier.  They  were  always  in  the  habit  of  selecting 
the  choicest  bits  of  meat  and  sending  them  to  me,  and 
they  did  not  forget  me  on  this  occasion  ;  but  I  declined 
to  eat,  telling  them  I  did  not  care  for  it,  and  that  they 


142 


i  i 


could  eat  all  of  it.  f  hey  ate  it  with  great  relish,  and 
after  they  had  finished  their  dinner,  I  asked  them  if 
they  ki^ew  what  they  had  eaten.  They  said  ''  yes,  wild- 
cat," and  were  greatly  astonished  when  I  told  them  they 
had  devoured  our  old  tom  cat.  One  of  them  said  it  made 
no  difference,  it  was  good ;  the  other  thought  differ- 
ently, and  tried  hard  to  rid  himself  of  what  he  had 
eaten  by  thrusting  his  finger  down  his  throat,  but  with- 
out success  ;  the  old  cat  would  not  come  up. 


TROUBLE    WITH   YELLOW   HEAD— DANVILLE- 


<( 


WINNEBAGO 


SC!ARE 


-IN  THE   OHIO  RIVEH— KA-NE-KUCK. 


I  had  now  been  in  the  tinploy  of  the  American  Fur 
Company  for  more  than  seven  years,  and  for  the  two 
years  after  the  expiration  of  my  original  five  years'  con- 
ti-act,  I  had  received  the  very  hberal  salary  of  thirteen 
hundred  dollars  per  year.  Being,  however,  dissatisfied 
with  that  amount,  I  had  determined  to  leave  its  em- 
ploy, when  the  Company  offered  me  an  interest  as  a 
special  partner,  which  offer  I  gladly  accepted.  My  la- 
bors were  no  lighter;  in  fact,  the  responsibility  seemed 
greater,  and  I  worked  harder  than  ever,  realizing  that 
on  my  own  efforts  and  success  depended  the  amount 
of  compensation  I  should  receive.  My  head(iuarters 
for  the  winter  were  at  Iroquois  post,  though  I  made 
frequent  excursions  to  other  points,  and  was  ver}^  often 
in  Chicago. 

One  cold  day  in  March,  1S27,  I  went  to  Beaver  Creek 
Lake  for  a  hunt.  This  was  a  part  of  the  great  Kankakee 
marsh,  and  geese,  ducks,  and  swan  were  very  abundant. 
The  fall  previous  I  had  hidden  a  canoe  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  lake  ami  about  thirteen  miles  from  niv  tradinsr  house, 

(143) 


li  I 


144 

and  this  I  t„uii(]  Nvitli  little  difficulty.     I  hunted   until 
nearly  dark,  when,  thinking  it  too  laf^3  to  return  home,  I 
camped  for    the  night  on  a  small  island  in  the  lake. 
Tiiere  were  no  trees,  but  I  made  a   tire  with  di'iftwood, 
nnd  having  ( ooked  some  game  for  my  supper,  lay  down 
and  soon  fell  asleep.     Some  time  in  the  night  I  awoke 
in  gi-eat  pain,  and  found  that  my  fire  had  nearly  gone  out. 
I  managed  to  replenish  it,  hut  the  pain  continued,  being 
most  sevevo  in  my  legs,  and  by  morning  it  increased  to 
such  :m  extent  that  I  could  not  reach  my  canoe.     About 
ten    o'clock    an    Indian    came    down    the    lake   and  I 
(-•ailed  him  and  told   him   of  my  condition,    and   with 
his  assistance  reached  the  canoe,  and  finally  the  main 
shore.      I  sent  the  Indian  to   Iroquois  with  orders  for 
my  men  to  come  and  bring  with  them  a  horse  and  har- 
ness.    On  their  arrival  I  had  the  horse  hitched  to  the 
canoe  and  myself  placed  therein,  and  started  in  this  man- 
ner to  ride  home.     I  soon  found  that  I  could  not  stand 
tlie  jarring  of  the  canoe  as  it  was  drawn  over  the  rough 
gi-ound,  and  halted  until  some  better  means  of  travel 
could  be  devised.     I  sent  back  to  Iroquois  for  two  more 
men,    which    necessitated    my    camping    for    another 
niglit.     (Jn  their  arrival  they  constructed,  with  poles  and 
blankets,  a  litter  upon  which   they  bore  me  safely  and 
quite  comfortably  home. 

I  had  a  severe  attack  of  inflammatory  rheumatism, 
Avhich  confined  me  to  the  house  for  three  or  four  weeks' 
and  from  which  I  did  not  fully  recover  for  eighteen 
months.  I  doctored  myself  with  poultices  of  elm  and 
decoctions  of  various  herbs. 

About  six  weeks  after  my  attack  of  rheumatism  I 
prepared  to  abandon  my  trading  house  on  the  Iroquois 


145 

and  remove  to  Chicago,  but  was  compelled  to  wait  for 
a  band  of  Indians  \vho  owed  me  for  goods  and  who  had 
not  yet  returned  from  their  winter  hunting  grounds. 
While  thus  delayed  two  white  men  appeared  with  a  pair 
of  horses  and  a  wagoii  loaded  with  corn,  cornmeal,  and 
whisky.     Hearing  that  I  was  waiting  for  the  Indians, 
they  decided  to  wait  also  and  trade  them  whisky  for  furs,' 
blankets,  or  anything  else  of  value  which  the  Indians 
might  possess.     I  was  unable  to  walk  without  crutches, 
and  scarcely  able  to  leave  my  bunk.     I  knew  that  if  the 
Indians  were  allowed  to  have  the  whisky,  trouble  would 
ensue,  so  I  sent  Noel  Vasseur  to  their  camp  to  ask  one 
of  the  men  to  come  and  see  me.     He  soon  came,  and  I 
told  him  I  did  not  like  to  have  him  sell  whisky  to  the 
Indians,  and  that  he  had  no  right  to  do  so,  as  he  had  no 
license  from  the  Government  to  trade  with  Indians.  He 
replied  that  he  had  as  much  right  to  trade  as  I  had,  and 
that  he  should  do  as  he  pleased.     I  warned  him  that  the 
Indians  would  become  drunk,  and  would  then  rob,  and 
probably  murder  them,  but   he  refused  to  listen  to  me, 
and  returned  to  his  camp. 

I  immediately  stationed  men  to  watch  for  the  coming 
of  the  Indians,  and  was  soon  informed  that  Yellow  Head 
and  his  band  were  at  hand.  When  they  arrived,  I  had 
a  large  kettle  of  corn  soup  and  other  food  j-eady  for  them, 
and  as  soon  as  they  had  eaten,  I  took  them  into  my 
council  room,  traded  for  their  furs,  collected  what  they 
owed  me,  and  after  giving  each  one  a  gill  of  whisky, 
dismissed  them  before  the  strangers  had  learned  of  their 
arrival.  The  Indians  soon  discovered  the  camp  of  the 
two  men  and  commenced  trading  their  blankets  and  the 

goods  they  had  just  bought  from  me  for  whiskv.    I  sent 
lo 


r 


I;  hi! 


ii; ! 


IK'     !     ' 

Ir:  s    >, 


lii'i 


i,u 


146 

word  to  the  men  to  leave,  and  told  them  that  as  soon  as 
the  Indians  got  drunk  they  would  rob  them  of  all  they 
had  sold  them,  but  they  would  not  heed  the  message. 

As  I  had  anticipated,  the  Indians  soon  became  drunk, 
and  angry  because  they  had  nothing  more  to  trade  and 
could  get  no  moi-e  to  drink,  and  began  to  take  back 
their  blankets  and  goods.  The  white  men  became  very 
much  frightened,  and  came  to  me  for  assistance.  I 
refused  to  interfere,  but  sent  Vasseur  and  Jacques  Jom- 
beau  to  empty  the  remaining  kegs  of  whisky,  which  they 
did.  The  Indians  scooped  up  the  whisky  with  their 
hands,  and  became  more  and  more  enraged,  and  finally 
assaulted  Jombeau,  and  stabbed  him  in  the  back,  tliough 
not  severely.  The  Indians  got  back  all  they  had  sold, 
and  the  white  men  made  their  escape  with  the  horses 
and  wagou.     The  disturbance  lasted  all  night. 

The  Indians  came  to  my  house  and  demanded  more 
whisky,  and  were,  of  course,  refused.  They  all  laid 
down  and  fell  asleep,  except  Yellow  Head  (a  brother-in- 
law  of  Billy  Caldwell),  who  came  several  times  to  me, 
coaxing  and  threatening  me,  but  to  no  purpose.  He 
finally  said  he  would  go  to  my  store,  break  in  and  take 
as  much  as  he  wanted.  I  said,  "Very  well,  go  on," 
and  he  started  for  the  storehouse.  I  got  up  from  my 
bunk,  took  my  rifle  and  thrust  it  through  the  paper 
which  served  for  window  ghiss,  and  as  he  reached  the 
store,  I  "  drew  a  bead  on  him,"  and  called  to  him  to  go  on 
and  break  in.      He  changed  his  mind  and  walked  away. 

I  again  laid  down,  and  in  a  few  minutes  he  returned 
very  angry,  and  walking  up  to  my  bunk  drew  a  knife  and 
attempted  to  stab  ma  ;  but  I  was  too  quick  for  him, 
seized  his  arm,  and  lame  as  T  was,  jumped  up,  took  the 


147 

knife  away,  and  pushed  him  out  of  the  door,  where  I 
found  some  squaws  who   had  been  attracted   by  the 
dLst,urbance.     Outside  the  door  was  a  ]arge  mortar  with 
a  heavy  non-wood  pestle,   which  I  used  for  pounding 
corn.    I  gave  the  knife  to  a  squaw,  and  leaned  on  one 
ci-u  en  against  the  mortar  with  my  hand  on  the  pestle. 
Yellow  Head  felt  in  his  leggins  for  another  knife  when 
I  said  to  the  squaw,  "Give  the  old  woman  a  knife" 
She  did  so,  but  Yellow  Head,  looking  at  the  pestle  upon 
which  my  hand  rested,  and  doubtless  remembering  the 
sudden  manner  in  which  I  had  before  disarmed  him 
deemed  "discretion  the  better  part  of  valor,"  and  silentl^ 
departed  with  the  squaws. 

Tlie  day  following  I  started  for  Chicago,  leaving  one 
ot  my  men,  Dominick  Bray  by  name,  in  charge  of  the 
place,  and  to  make  a  garden  and  plant  vegetables  for  the 
following  winter's  use.     Two  or  three  days  after  my 
aiTival  in  Chicago,  Bray  appeared  with  the  story  that 
Ye  low  Head  had  returned  for  revenge.     Bray  was  lying 
in  his  bunk,  when  Yellow  Head  and  two  other  Indians 
entered  the  house  and  leveled  their  rifles  at  him      He 
.lumped  up  and  ran  by  them  out  of  the  door,  pulling  it 
«  nit  just  as  they  fired,  and  the  bullets  struck  the  door 
tlirough  which    he  had  escaped.      Bray  ran   into  the 
woods,   caught    a  horse,  and  left    for  Chicago       The 
Indians  pillaged  the  houso  and  store,  taking  everything 
that  had  been  left.     Other  Indians  warned  me  that  Yel 
low  Head  intended  to  kill  me  should  he  ever  meet  me 
ngain,   but  before  my  return  to  the  Iroquois,  he  was 
killed  m  a  drunken  fight,  and  thus  I  was  saved  from 
further  trouble  with  him. 
I  had  already  located  at  Danville,  where  I  intended  in 


M.' 


148 

the  future  to  make  my  general  headquarters,  and  a 
portion  of  the  spring  and  summer  of  this  year  was  spent 
at  that  place.  Danville  had  become  quite  a  settlement, 
and  I  liad  a  number  of  pleasant  acquaintances  there. 
Mr.  Kinzie  having  resigned  his  position  as  Indian  trader 
at  Chicago,  I  made  application  for  the  place,  which, 
however,  I  did  not  receive. 

I  made  my  annual  trip  to  Mackinaw,  arriving  there  in 
the  month  of  August,  and  before  my  return  made  a  new 
arrangement  with  the  Fur  Company,  by  which  I  bought 
out  its  entire  interests  in  Illinois.  Business  was  very  poor 
during  the  year  1827,  and  in  the  spring  of  1828  I  built  a 
store  at  Danville,  and  permanently  established  my  head- 
quarters there. 

WINNEBAGO  SCARE.  ^' 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Winnebago  war,  early  in 
July,  1827,  Fort  Dearborn  was  \  ithout  military  occupa- 
tion. 

Doctor  Alexander  Wolcott,  Indian  agent,  had  charge 
of  the  fort,  living  in  the  brick  building,  just  within  the 
north  stockade,  previously  occupied  by  the  commanding 
officers.  The  old  officers'  quarters,  built  of  logs,  on  the 
west,  and  within  the  pickets,  were  occupied  by  Russell 
E.  Heacock  and  one  other  American  family,  while  a 
number  of  voyageurs  M^ith  their  families  were  living  in 
the  soldiers'  quarters  on  the  east  side  of  the  inclosure. 

The  aiuiual  payment  of  the  Pottawatomie  Indians 
occurred  in  September  of  the  year  1828.  A  large  body 
of  them  had  assembled,  according  to  custom,  to  receive 
their  annuity.  These  left  after  the  payment  for  their 
respective  villages,  except  a  portion  of  Big  Foot's  band. 

*  From  statements  by  >[r.  Hubbard  in  Chicago  Historical  Series,  No.  10. 


5.0 


The  night  following  the  payment,  there  was  a  dance 
in  the  soldiers'  barracks,  during  the  progress  of  which  a 
violent  storm  of  wind  and  rain  arose ;  and  about  mid- 
night these  (juarters  v/ere  struck  by  lightning  and 
totally  consumed,  together  with  the  storehouse  and  a 
portion  of  the  guard-house. 

The  sleeping  inmates  of  Mr.  Kinzie'&  house,  on  the 

opposite  bank  of  the  river,  were  aroused  by  the  cry  of 

"fire,''  from  Mrs.  Helm,  one  of  their  number,  who,  from 

her  window,  had  seen  the  flames.    On  hearing  the  alarm 

I,  with  Robert  Kinzie,  hastily  arose,  and,  only  partially 

dressed,  ran  to  the  river.     To  our  dismay,  we  found  the 

canoe,  which  was  used  for  crossing  the  river,  tilled  with 

water  ;  it  bad  been  partially  drawn  up  on  rhe  beach  and 

became  filled  by  the  dashing  uf  the  waves.    Not  being  able 

to  turn  it  over,  and  having  nothing  with  which  to  bail  it 

out,  we  lost  no  time,  but  swam  the  stream.    Entering  by 

the  north  gate  we  saw  at  a  glance  the  situation.     The 

barracks  and  storehouse  being  wrapped  in  flames,  we 

directed  our  energies  to  the  saving  of  the  guard-house, 

the  east  end  of  which  was  on  fire.     Mr.  Kinzie,  rolling 

himself  in  a  wet  blanket,  got  upon  the  roof.     The  men 

and  women,  about  forty  in  number,  formed  a  line  to  the 

river,  and  with  buckets,  tubs,  and  every  available  utensil, 

passed  the  water  to  him  ;  this  was  kei)t  up  till  daylight 

before  the  flames  were  subdued,  Mr.  Kinzie  maintaining 

his  dangerous  position  with  great  fortitude,  though  his 

hands,   face,  and  portions  of  his  body   were  severely 

burned.     His  father,  mother,  and  sister,  Mrs.  Helm,  had 

meanwhile  freed  the  canoe  from  water,  and  crossing  in 

it,  fell  into  line  with  those  carrying  water. 

ig  Foot  band  of  Indians  were  present  at 


Some  of  the  Bir 


I'  '1 


111  1   'it 


the  fire,  but  merely  as  si)ectators,  and  could  uot  be  pre- 
vailed ui)on  to  assist ;  they  all  left  the  next  day  for  their 
homes.  The  strangeness  of  their  behavior  was  the  sub- 
ject of  discussion  among  us. 

Six  or  eight  days  after  this  event,  while  at  breakfast 
in  Mr.  Kinzie's  house,  we  heard  singing,  faintly  at  first, 
but  gradually  growing  louder  as  the  singers  approached. 
Mr.  Kinzie  recognized  the  leading  voice  as  that  of  Bob 
Forsyth,  and  left  the  table  for  the  piazza  of  the  house, 
where  we  all  followed.     About  where  Wells  street  now 
crosses  the  river,  in  plain  sight  from  where  we  stood, 
was  a  light  birch  bark  canoe,  manned  with  thirteen  men, 
rapidly  approaching,  the  men  keeping  time  with  their 
paddles  to  one  of  the  Canadian  boat  songs  ;  it  proved  to 
be  Governor  Cass  and  his  secretary,  Robert  Forsyth,  and 
they  landed  and  soon  joined  us      From  them  we  first 
learntx]  of  the  breaking  out  of  the  Winnebago  war,  and 
the  massacre  on  the  Upper  Mississippi.     Governor  Cass 
was  at  Green  Bay  by  appointmeut,  to  hold  a  treaty  with 
the  Wiimebagoes  and  Menomonee  tribes,  who,  however, 
did  not  appear  to  meet  him  in  council.     News  of  hostili- 
ties reaching  the  Governor  there,  heimtnedicltely  procured 
a  light   birch  bark  canoe,    purposely    made   for  speed, 
manned  it  with  twelve  men  at  the  paddles  and  a  steers, 
man,  and  started  up  the  river,  making  a  portage  into  the 
Wisconsin,  then  down  it  and  the  Mississippi  to  Jeffer- 
son Barracks  below  St.  Louis. 

Here  he  persuaded  tlie  commanding  officer  to  charter 
a  steamer,  and  embarking  troops  on  it,  ascended  the  Mis- 
sissippi hi  search  of  the  hostile  Indians,  and  to  give  aid 
to  the  troops  at  Fort  Snelling.  On  reaching  the  mouth 
of  the  Illinois  River,  the  Governor  ( with  his  men  and 


I 


151 


canoo,  having  been  bronght  so  far  on  the  steamer ),  here 
left  it,  and  ascending  tliat  stream  and  the  Desi)laines, 
passed  through  Mud  Lak«?  hito  the  Sontli  Jirandi  of  the 
Chicago  River,  thus  reaching  Chicago.  This  trip  from 
Green  Bay,  was  performed  in  about  thirteen  days,  the 
Governor's  party  sleeping  only  five  to  seven  hours,  and 
averaging  sixty  to  seventy  miles  travel  eacli  day.  On 
the  Wisconsin  River  ti.ey  passed  Winnebago  encamp- 
ments without  molestation.  Tliey  did  not  stoi)  to  parley, 
passing  rapidly  by,  singing  th.Mi-  boat  songs  ;'  the  Indians 
were  so  taken  by  sui'i)rise  tbat  before  they  recovered 
from  theii"  astonishment,  the  canoe  was  out  of  danger. 
Governor  Cass  remained  at  Chicago  but  a  few  hours, 
coasting  Lake  Mi(5bigan  back  to  Green  Buy.  As  soon  as 
he  left,  the  inhabitants  of  Chicago  assembled  for  consul- 
tation. Big  Foot  was  susi)ected  of  acting  in  concert 
with  the  Winnebagoes,  as  he  was  known  to  be  friendly 
to  them,  and  many  of  his  band  had  intermarried  with 
that  tribe. 

Shaub-e-nee  was  not  here  at  the  payment,  his  money 
having  been  drawn  for  him  by  his  friend,  Billy  Caldwell. 
The  evening  before  Governor  Cass'  visit,  liowever,  he  was 
in  Chicago,  and  then  the  guest  of  Caldwell.  At  my  sug- 
gestion he  and' Caldwell  were  engaged  to  visit  Big  Foot's 
village  (Geneva  Lake),  and  get  what  information  they 
could  of  the  plans  of  the  Winnebagoes,  and  also  learn 
wliat  action  Big  Foot's  band  intend(^d  taking.  They 
left  immediately,  and  on  nearing  Geneva  Like,  arranged 
tliat  Shaub-e-nee  should  enter  the  village  alone,  Caldwell 
remaining  liidden. 

Upon  entering  the  village  Shaub-e-nee  was  made  a  pris- 
oner, and  accused  of  being  a  friend  of  the  Americans, 


HI 


152 

and  H  spy.   He  affected  great  indignation  at  these  charges, 
and  said  to  Big  Foot :     -  I  was  not  at  tJie  i)aynient,  hut 
was  told  hy  my  hraves  that  you  desired  us  to  ^     n  the 
Winnebagoes  and  make  war  on  the  Ameiicans.    I  think 
the  Winnebagoes  have  been  foolish  ;  alone  they  cannot 
succeed.     So  I  have  come  to  council  with  you,  hear  what 
you  have  to  say,  when  I  will  return  to  my  people  and 
report  all  you  tell  me  ;    if  thoy  shiiU  then  say  we  will 
join  you,  I  will  consent."    After  talking  nearly  all  night 
they  agreed  to  let  him  go,  provided  he  was  nccompanied 
by  one  of  their  own  number  ;  to  this  proposal  Shaub-e-nee 
readily  consented,  though  it  placed  him  in  a  dangerous 
position.      His  friend  Caldwell  was  waiting  for  him  in 
the  outskirts  of  the  village  and  his  presence  must  not  be 
::nown,  as  it  would  endanger  both  of  their  lives.     Shaub- 
e-nee  was  equal  to  the  emergency.      After  leaving  in 
company  win.  one  of  Big  Foot's  braves,  as  the  place  of 
Caldwell's  concealment  was  neared,  he  commenced  com- 
plaining in  a  loud  voice  of  being  suspected  and  made  a 
prisoner,  and  when  quite  near,  said,  "  We  must  have  no 
one  with  us  in  going  to  Chicago.      Should  we  meet  any 
one  of  your  band  or  an?j  one  else,  we  must  tell  them  to 
go  awav  ;  we  must  go  by  ourselves,  and  get  to  Chicago 
by  noon  to-morrow.      Kinzie  will  give  us  something  to 
eat  and  wo  can  go  on  next  day." 

Caldwell  heard  and  understood  the  meaning  of  this, 
and  started  alone  by  another  route.  Sti-ategy  was  still 
to  be  used,  as  Shaub-e-nee  desired  to  report ;  so,  on  near- 
ingChicagc  he  said  to  his  companion,  "If  Kinzie  sres 
you,  he  will  ask  why  your  band  did  not  assist  in  putting 
out  the  fire.  Maybe  he  has  heard  news  of  the  war  and 
is  angry  with  Big  Foot ;  let  us  camp  here,  for  our  horses 


158 


are  very  tired.  This  they  die,  and  after  a  hxtle  th<!  Big 
Foot  brave  suggested  that  Shaub  e-iiee  should  go  to  the 
fort  for  food  and  information.  This  was  wh.it  he  wanted 
to  do,  and  he  lost  no  time  in  reporting  the  result  of  his 
expedition,  and  procuring  food  returned  to  his  camp. 
Starting  the  next  morning  with  his  companion  for  his 
own  village  ;  on  reaching  it  he  called  a  council  of  his 
Indians,  who  were  addressed  by  Big  Foot's  emissary  ; 
but  they  declined  to  take  part  with  the  Winnebagoes, 
advising  Big  Foot  to  remain  neutral. 

On  receiving  Shaub-e-nee's  report,  the  inhabitants  of 
Chicago  were  greatly  excited.  Fearing  an  attack,  we 
assembled  for  consultation,  when  I  suggested  sending  to 
the  Wabash  for  assistance,  and  tendered  my  services  as 
messenger.  This  was  at  first  objected  to,  on  the  ground 
that  a  majority  of  the  men  at  the  fort  were  in  my  employ, 
and  in  case  of  an  attack,  no  one  could  manage  them  or 
enfo7"ce  their  aid  but  myself.  It  was,  however,  decided 
that  I  should  go,  as  I  knew  the  route  and  all  the  settlers. 
An  attack  would  probably  not  be  made  until  Big  Foot's 
embassador  had  returned  with  his  report ;  this  would 
give  at  least  two  weeks'  security,  and  in  that  time  I 
could,  if  successful,  make  the  trip  and  return.  I  started 
between  four  and  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  reaching 
my  traduig  house  on  the  Iroquois  River  by  midnight, 
where  I  changed  my  horse  and  went  on  ;  it  was  a  dark, 
rainy  night.  On  reaching  Sugar  Creek  I  found  the 
stream  swollen  out  of  its  banks,  and  my  horse  refusing  to 
cross,  I  was  obliged  to  wait  till  daylight,  w  hen  I  discov- 
ered that  a  large  tree  had  fallen  across  the  trail,  making 
the  ford  impassable.  I  swam  the  stream  and  went  on, 
reaching  my  friend  Mr.  Spencer's  house  at  noon,  tired  out. 


I 


Li  i 


if'-! 


lrt4 


Mr 


star 


asking  for  v.>lunteurs  to  meet  at  Danville  the  next  even- 
ing, with  five  dnys'  .ations.     By  the  day  following  at 
the  hour  ai)i)ointe(l,  on.-  Imndied   men  were  organized 
into    a    company,     and    appointing    a    Mi-.     Morgan, 
an  old   frontier  tighte.-,  as   their  (captain,  innnediately 
started  for  Chicago,  camping  that  iiighf-,  on  the  north 
fork  of   the  Vermilion  Kiver.     It  rained  continually,  the 
trail  was   very   nniddy,  and   wo  were  obliged   t(,  swim 
most  of  the  streams  and  many  of  the  large  sloughs,  but 
we  still  pushed  on,  reaching  Fort  Dearborn  the  seventh 
day  after  my  dei>arture,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  waiting 
people. 

We  re-organized,  and  had  a  foice  of  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men,  Moigan  conunanding.  At  the  end 
of  thirty  days,  news  came  of  the  defeat  of  the  VVinne- 
bagoes,  and  of  their  treaty  with  the  conunanding  officer, 
who  went  from  Jefferson  Barracks,  as  before  stated! 
Upon  hearing  this,  Morgan  disbaiided  his  comi*ny,  who 
returned  to  their  homes,  leaving  Fort  Dearborn  in 
3f  the  Indian  agent  as  before. 


ch 


NoTK.-Extract  from  a  letter  writi.n   l.y  Mr.    Hubbard  to  his  sister 
Eli/ibeth,  at  .MidtUetDWir,  Coun. 

CurcAcio.  .hilv  :.'.->.  182T 

You  will  undoubtedly  hear  through  the  medium  of  the  newspapers  of 
the  hostilities  hitoly  coinuienced  by  the  Winnebago  Indians. 

Governor  Cass  surprised  us  on  the  L>lst  by  his  arrival,  and  brought  us 
the  first  intelligence  of  the  depredati^,ns  comnutted  by  that  tribe  They 
commenced  their  hostilities  at  Prairie  du  Chien.  by  killing  a  family  iu 
open  day.  Afterward,  a  i>arty  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  waylaid  a  bo'it 
descending  the  Mississippi,  attacked  it  with  great  violence,  and  after  a 
contest  of  two  hours,  witlidrew.  The  boat's  crew  defended  themselves 
bravely:  their  loss  was  two  men  killed  and  six  wounded.  The  Indians 
lost  fourteen  men  killed;  the  number  of  wounded  was  not  ascertained 


SMI'  ' 


lof) 


I  cannot  d«iso  this  communication  without  adding  my 
testimony  r('j<ai-(Hnii-  the  character  and  services  of  that 
noble  [iidian  chief,  Shauh-e-neo.  Frofn  my  first  ac(|iiHint- 
ance  with  him,  whi(,'h  l)egan  in  ibo  tali  of  1818,  to  his 
deatli,  I  was  impressed  witii  the  nobleness  of  his  char- 
acter. Pliysically,  lie  was  its  fine  a  specihKui  of  a  man 
as  I  ever  saw  ;  tall,  well  pi-oportioned,  strong,  and  active, 
with  a  face  exprtsssiug  great  strength  of  mind  and  j'-ood- 
ness  of  heart.  Had  he  been  favored  with  the  advanta- 
ges of  education,    he   might   have  commanded  a  high 

T1k<  Governor  wn8  lit  tlie  Priiiie  when  the  boat  arrived,  and  counted  two 
hundrwl  hall  holes  thn)Uf,'li  her  earjro  I'ox.  All  the  for  .3  from  St.  Louis 
were  imincdiatcly  -sciit  up  lo  the  Prairie  to  Join  tho,se  from  the  St.  Peter'.s. 
It  is  thougiit  tlial  tlie  foree.s  eoilccled  at  the  I'ruirie  amount  toneven  thousand 
men,  part  of  wiioni  an;  now  doubtlei*.s  in  the  enemy's  country. 

The  war-club  wat.  in  circulation  here  during  tlie  payment,  with  such 
secrefly  tlmt  not  one  of  us  knew  anything  of  it  until  the  Governor  arrived, 
when  lie  was  informed  by  a  few  friendly  Indians 

Tlie  principal  Pottawatomie  Indians  were  sent  for,  and  a  council  held  on' 
the  2".2d,  wlion  the  Governor  informed  tlicm  of  every  particuhir.  They 
aclwiowk'dgcd  that  nies,sagi's  Iiutl  been  sent  to  them  fromtiic  Winnebagocs, 
but  a.s-<ur.'d  us  of  their  friendsliip.  We  do  not  appr.licnd  the  lenst  danger 
from  them,  au'l  those  wlio  live  on  tlie  Illinois  River  are  bringing  tlicir 
families  into  our  settlement  for  protection.  Tlie  inhabitants  of  this  place 
are  all  assembled  in  the  fort.  We  do  not  think  that  there  is  any  danger, 
but  think  it  best  to  be  on  our  guard. 

Ti;e  Governor  left  here  yesterday  for  Green  Bay.  He  will  send  a  com- 
pany of  troops  on  here  immediately  to  take  possession  of  this  fort.  Wo 
expect  ihem  in  twenty  days.  I  .shall  not  leave  here  until  I  see  my  friends 
out  of  all  danger.  Yoa  shall  hear  from  me  again  shortly ;  in  the  mean 
time,  do  not  be  uneasy  as  to  my  safety.  We  have  vigdant  scouts  out,  and 
get  notice  of  any  party  of  Indians  before  they  could  surprise  us,  although  I 
do  not  think  tliere  is  the  least  danger  of  their  making  the  attempt.  Our 
troops  will  give  them  enough  to  attend  to  in  their  own  villages,  aiul  the  war 
can  not  last  more  th.in  twenty  or  thirty  days  before  they  are  all  destroyed. 
Again  I  beg  you  will  not  be  uneasy  ;  I  am  in  perfect  safety. 


156 

position  among  the  men  of  his  day.     He  was  remarkable 
for  his  integrity,  of  a  generous  and  forgiving  nature, 
always  hospitable,  and  until  his  return  from  the  West' 
a  strictly  temperate  man,  not  only  himself  abstaining 
from  all  intoxicating  liquors,  but  influencing  his  people 
to  do  the  same.     He  was  ever  a  friend  to  the  ^vhite 
settlers,  and  should  be  held  by  them  and  their  descend- 
ants in  greatful  remembrance.     He  had  an  unconmionly 
retentive   memory,    and    a  perfect  knowledge  of    this 
Western  country.     He  would  readily  draw  on  the  sand 
or  bed  of  ashes,  quite  a  correct  map  of  the  whole  district 
from  the  lakes  west  to  tiie  Missouri  Eiver,  giving  gen- 
eral courses  of  rivers,  designating  towns  and  places  of 
notoiiety,  even  though  he  liad  never  seen  them. 

It  has  been  reported  that  8haub-e-nee  said  that  Tecum- 
seh  was  killed  by  Col.  R.  M.  Johnson.  This,  I  am  con- 
vinced, is  a  mistake,  for  I  have  often  conversed  with 
him  on  that  subject,  and  he  invariably  said  that  balls 
were  striking  all  around  them  ;  by  one  of  them  Tecumseh 
was  killed  and  fell  by  his  side ;  that  no  one  could  tell 
who  directed  the  fatal  shot,  unless  it  were  the  person 
who  fired  it ;  that  person  was  claimed  to  be  Johnson. 

It  ought  to  be  a  matter  of  regret  and  mortification  to 
us  all  that  our  Government  so  wronged  this  man,  who 
so  often  periled  his  own  life  to  save  those  of  the  whites, 
by  withholding  from  hi. :  the  title  to  the  land  granted 
him  under  a  solenni  treaty,  the  Commissioners,  repre- 
senting our  Government,  having  given  him  their  pledge 
that  the  land  allotted  him  by  the  Pottawatomie  Nation 
should  be  guaranteed  to  him  by  our  Government,  and 
he  protected  in  its  ownship.  He  never  sold  his  right  to 
the  land,  but  by  force  was  driven  from  it.      When  he 


157 

returned  fro'".  the  West  to  take  possession,  he  found 
that  our  Government,  disregarding  his  rights,  had  sold  it.* 

The  winter  of  1830-31  was  the  most  severe  one  I  ever  ex- 
perienced in  the  Indian  country,  and  was  always  remem- 
bered and  spoken  of  by  the  early  settlers  as  the  "  winter 
of  the  big  sAow."  I  was  employed  in  gathering  together 
hogs  to  drive  to  Chicago  to  kill  and  sell  to  the  settlers  and 
soldiers  at  Fort  Dearborn,  a  business  in  which  I  was  then 
regularly  engaged.  I  also  had  a  store  at  Danville  stocked 
with  goods  suitable  for  trade  with  the  white  settlers  of 
that  section  of  country. 

On  the  seventh  of  November,  1830,  I  stai-ted  out  tO' 
gather  up  my  hogs,  which  were  in  small  droves  at  differ- 
ent points  on  the  road.  The  snow  was  then  about  seven 
inches  deep,  and  it  continued  to  fall  for  four  or  five  days. 
I  had  men  to  help  me.  and  wagons  containing  corn  for 

*  I  have  no  information  as  to  Mr.  Hubbard's  life  during  the  years  1828-29 
further  than  tliat  lie  was  engaged  in  a  general  business  at  Danville,  and 
still  retained  his  trading  post  at  Iroquois.  Daring  these  years  he  dealt 
quite  extensively  in  farm  produce,  and  had  contracts  for  furnishing  beef 
and  pork  to  the  troops  stationed  at  Fort  Dearborn.  He  continued  his  annual 
visits  to  Mackinaw,  and  during  his  life  as  a  fur  trader,  made  twenty-six 
trips  to  and  from  that  island,  coasting  Lake  Michigan  in  an  open  row- 
boat.  In  1828  he  wem.  on  horseback  and  alone  to  Detroit  without  seeing 
any  indications  of  a  white  settlement  until  he  reached  Ypsilantl,  at  which 
place  were  a  few  log  houses.  In  the  winter  of  1839  he  killed  a  large 
number  of  hogs,  and  not  having  received  the  I;  irrels,  which  were  to  arrive 
by  vessel,  he  piled  the  pork  up  on  the  river  hank,  near  where  Rush 
street  now  is,  and  kept  it  in  that  manner  until  the  arrival  of  barrels  in 
the  spring.  This  was  the  beginning  o  the  packing  industry  in  Chicago. 
During  the  summer  of  1830  he,  for  the  first  time,  returned  to  the  East 
and  visited  his  mother  and  family  at  Middletown,  Conn.  His  sisters  Mary 
(afterwards  Mrs.  Dr.  Clark)  and  Abby  (afterwards  Mrs.  A.  L.  Castleman) 
returned  with  him  m  hie  home  in  Danville,  where  they  continued  to  reside' 
until  they  were  miirried. — H.  E.  H. 


IIIM 


lo8 

the  hogs,  in  which  were  also  our  blankets  and  utensils 

When   we  left   Beaver  Creek  marsh  the  weather  had 

changed,  mid  the  day  was  rainy  and  misty.     At  dark  we 

h.-id  reached  the  Kankakee  and  camped  in  a  little  hollow 

havmg  left  the  hogs  a  nn'le  or  so  back.     It  rained  hard 

a  portion  of  the  night,  and  then  the  wind  changed  and 

It  began  freezing.     The  water  gradually  worked  under 

the  b  anket  and  buifalo  robe  in  which  I  had  wrapped 

myself,  and  on  attempting  to  rise  I  found  myself  frozen 

fast  to  the  ground,  and  had  much  difficulty  in  freeiuL^ 

myself,  *' 

In  the  morning  we  gathered  the  hogs  and  drove  them 
to  the  hollow  in  which  we  had  camped,  where  we  left 
them  with  our  horses  and  started  to  find  Billy  Caldwell 
who  I  knew  was  camped  somewliere  near  Yellow  Head 
1  oint,  wh.ch  was  about  six  miles  from  Kankakee     Fol- 
lowing up  tlxe  creek  we  found  him  without  difficulty 
and  were  hospitably  received  by  both  Caldwell  and  his 
wife     Mrs.  Caldwell  made  us  some  tea,  and  never  in  my 
hfe  d,d  I  drink  such  quantities  of  anything  as  I  did  of  that 
We  remained  at  Caldwell's  a  day  and  night,  when  we 
again  started  the  hogs  for  Chicago,  where  we  arrived  in 
about  thirty  days.     The  snow  was  about  two  feet  deep 
on  a  level  and  four  or  five  feet  in  the  drifts.     I  killed  and 
dehvered  my  pork,  and  with  empty  wagons  started  on 
my  i^turn  to  Iroquois.     Much  of  the  way  we  were  com- 
pelled to  cut  a  passage  through  the  snow  and  ice,  and 
were  ten  days  in  making   the  trip.     We  had  lost  some 
of    he  hogs,  and  ol  our  return  we  found  one  poor  brute 
under  the  snow,  where  he  had  managed  to  subsist  upon 
the  roots  of  grass.     Of  course  we  killed  him  to  save  him 
from  the  slow  torture  of  starvation. 


rss* 


159 

It  was  a  bitter  cold  night  when  we  arrived  at  the 
Kankakee  River,  which  we  found  veiy  high  and  full  of 
floating  ice,  with  no  possibility  of  fording  it.  My  wagon 
was  one  of  those  heavy,  large-box  vehicles  called  a 
"  Pennsylvania  wagon,"  the  box  of  which  we  chinked 
with  snow,  over  which  we  poured  water,  which  soon 
froze  and  made  it  water  tight.  Into  this  we  put  our 
harness,  blankets,  and  uiensils,  and  using  it  for  a  boat 
passed  safely  over,  the  horses  being  made  to  swim  after. 
From  this  point  we  progressed  at  the  rate  of  five  to  eight 
miles  a  day,  and  cami)ed  at  Beaver  Creek  the  evening  of 
the  second  day  thereafter.  It  had  again  rained,  and  all 
the  channels  and  streams  were  high,  and  Beaver  Creek 
had  overflowed  its  banks,  so  I  determined  to  go  from  there 
to  Iroquois  alone  and  send  a  man  back  with  a  Jiorse 
and  canoe  to  help  get  the  others  across.  I  cut  a  dry  tree 
for  a  raft  and  got  onto  it,  when  an  Indian,  who  was  one 
of  the  party,  said  he  wanted  to  cross  also.  I  told  him  it 
was  impossible  ;  that  the  tree  would  only  hold  one,  and 
he  must  wait  for  the  canoe  which  I  would  send.  "V^^^e 
had  a  long  rope  which  he  pi-oposed  to  tie  to  the  log,  and 
so  draw  it  back  after  I  had  crossed,  and  to  this  1  foolishly 
assented.  When  I  had  reached  the  middle  of  the  sfi-eam 
I  found  I  could  advance  no  further,  and  on  looking  back 
found  the  Indian  was  holdmg  the  rope  too  tight,  and  I 
called  to  him  to  let  go.  On  his  doing  so,  and  the  log 
being  released,  it  turned  suddenly  over  and  threw  me  into 
the  stream.  I  swam  ashore,  and  when  I  landed  my 
clothes  were  frozen  stiff,  and  I  was  near  perishing  with 
the  cold. 

My  favorite  horse,  "Croppy,"  who  had  watched  my 
departure  and  progress,  was  much  excited,  and  neighed, 


160 


III 


-it- 


pawerl  theground,  and  ^^  hiiinied  so  that  I  decided  to  allow 
hini  to  come  across.  I  called  to  Vasseurand  told  him  ioget 
my  dry  neips  and  moccasins  from  my  saddle-bags,  place 
them  on  the  horse's  head  under  the  headstall,  and  let 
Inni  loose.  I  called  to  Ci-oppy  and  he  swam  across 
to  me. 

The  bank  was  precipitous,  and  I  had  great  difficulty  in 
Settmg  him  up,  he  having  drifted  down  below  the  ford, 
but  I  finally  succeeded.  I  was  sheeted  with  ice,  but  by 
alternately  liding  and  running,  made  the  sixteen  miles 
to  my  h(»us(^  in  good  time,  and  sent  Portier  l)ack  with  a 
horse  and  canoe  loaded  with  provisions  for  the  men  and 
corn  for  the  horses. 

The  canoe  was  used  as  a  sleigh,  and  in  it  Portier  rode 
and  drove.  He  reached  the  men  late  at  night  and  with 
his  feet  badly  frozen.  The  day  following  all  crossed  the. 
stream  and  arrived  at  home.  We  had  been  twenty  days 
traveling  seventy- five  miles. 

I  had  a  small  outfit  up  the  Kankakee  River,  about  six 
or  eight  miles  from  where  "  Hubbard's  Trail"  crossed  the 
Kankakee,  where  two  men  were  located.     A  day  or  so 
before  tiie  occurence  above  narrated,  one  of  these  men 
started  for  my  trading  house,  and  in  attempting  to  cross 
Beaver  Creek,  at  or  near  the  place  where  I  crossed,  was 
drowned.     Not  returning  as  soon  as  he  was  expected,  his 
companion  sent  an  Indian  to  notify  me  of  his  absence, 
and  search  was  made  for  him,  but  notliing  could  be  seen 
or  heard  of  him.     The  following  spring  an  Indian  going 
up  Beaver  Creek  in  a  canoe,  found  his  skeleton  lodged  in 
the  branches  of  a  fallen   ti-ee,  about  ten  miles  below  the 
crossing,   to  which  place  it   had   been  carried  by  the 
current. 


161 


Mr.  Hubl)ard'a  autobiography  ends  here.  What 
further  information  in  regard  to  his  life,  until  it  became 
a  part  of  the  history  of  Chicago,  I  have  been  able  to 
obtam,  IS  from  sources  other  than  his  own  recital.  For 
many  years  he  kept  a  diary  and  noted  the  particulars  of  his 
everyday  life.  This  was  loaned  to  Colonel  McRol)ert8, 
and  though  I  have  made  considerable  effort,  I  have  been' 
unable  to  recover  it. 

In  the  spring  of  J831  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elenora 
Berry,  of  Uibana,  Ohio,  and  on  his  wedding  trip  to 
Louisville,  Ky.,  was  the  hero  of  the  following  incident: 
Dr.  Fithian,  then  and  now  a  resident  of  Danville, 
furnishes  the  facts  in  a  letter  written  to  Mr.  Hubbard  in 
May,  18H4.    Dr.  Fithian  says: 

"I  write  you  all  I  remember  relative  to  your  saving 
the  life  of  the  child  of  Mr.  Linton,  then  a  merchant  of 
Terre  Haute,  Indiana. 

"You  will  remember  that  we  both,  with  our  wives,  who 
were  sisters,  took  passage  at  Perrysville,  Indiana,  early 
in  the  spring  on  the  steamboat  Prairie  QueeniovQ'mcm- 
nati.   and  at    Terre  Haute,    Indiana,    Mr.    Linton    and 
his  family  came  on  board  bound  for  the  same  place.     I 
can  not  now  recollect  dates  ( being  over  seventy-five  years 
of  age),  but  I  can  recollect  vividly  the  circumstance  of 
the  (-hild  falling  overboard  while  passing  up  the  Ohio 
River,  which  was  veiy  high  and  filled  with  floating  ice. 
We  were  sitting  out  on  the  guard  with  other  passengers, 
when  Mr  Linton's  little  boy  slipped  overboard  and  went 
feet  foremost  into  the  water.     He  was  dressed  in  a  blouse 
waist,  which  became  filled  with  air  and  acted  as  a  buoy, 
pr(!venting  him  from  sinking  ;   and  at  this  moment  of 

writing  it  seems  to  mo  I  can  almost  hear  Mr.  Linton  as 
11 


I 


16J 


!  !■ 


i  il 


his  child  dropped  into  the  water  from  the  Httle  steam- 
boat, cry  out,  "  Oh  !  my  God,  what  shall  I  do  ?  I  cannot 
swim";  and  I  recollect  that  instant  of  time  so  vividly, 
that,  blind  as  I  am  now,  I  see  you  throw  off  your  coat 
and  boots,  plunge  into  the  raging  river,  and  swim  for 
the  drowning  (;hild  ;  and  I  can  recollect  very  distinctly 
the  moment  when  we  saw  that  you  had  reached  the 
child,  had  turned  upon  your  back  and  was  floating  in  the 
water,  and  in  that  position  held  the  child  elevated   in 
your  hands.     At  this  moment  was  the  time  for  thought 
and  action  with  those  on  the  boat.     You  will  recollect 
that  there  was  no  yawl  nor  small  craft  of  any  kind  at- 
tached to  the  little  steamer,  and  the  excitement  increased 
as  this  fact  became  known.     All  realized  that  something 
must  be  done  speedily  or  both  you  and  the  ciiild  would 
be  lost.     Captain  Cummings  suggested,  as  the  only  thing 
that  could  be  done,  turning  the  steamer  down  stream 
and  overtaking  you,  running  out  the  walking-plank  on 
the  side,  securing  the  end  remaining  on  the  boat  as  best 
could  be  done,  so  that  some  one  could  go  out  on  the  plank 
and  assist  in  getting  you  and  the  child  on  board.     This 
course  was  adopted  successfully.     While  the  steamer 
was  being  turned  in  the  stream,  and  the  walking  plank 
being  adjusted  and  made  secure,  blankets  were  taken  to 
the    engine-room  and   thoroughly  heated,  and  all  the 
mustard  necessary  got  ready. 

"  When  we  had  succeeded  in  getting  you  both  on  board 
again,  the  child  was  immediately  pronounced  dead  by 
nearly  everyone  who  was  permitted  to  see  him,  but  being 
taken  to  the  engine-room  at  once  and  manipulated  indus- 
triously, he  ejected  a  considerable  quantity  of  water,  and 
by  close  watching,  stimulating,  and  application  of  heat, 


the  circulation  was  soon  discernible,  and  within  an  hour 
lie  began  to  breathe  pretty  freely.  During  all  this  time 
your  wife  and  mine  knew  nothing  of  what  had  happened, 
having  been  confined  in  the  ladies'  cabin  by  the  ^apt;  n, 
who  had  filled  up  the  stairs  leading  from  it  with  trunks, 
80  that  th(*y  could  not  get  down. 

"As  a  further  proof  that  you  are  regarded  as  having 
saved  the  child's  life,  I  mention  that  Mr.  Linton,  father 
of  the  child,  as  an  evidence  of  his  gratitude  to  you,  in- 
sisted upon  changing,  and  did  actually  ch.tuge,  the  little 
boy's  name  to  that  of  Gurdon  S.  Hubbard  Linton." 

Dr.  Fithian's  letter  was  written  in  reply  to  one  from 
Mr.  Hubbard,  called  out  by  the  facl  uhat  some  persons 
had  doubted  that  he  could  support  himself  and  a  child  by 
floating  on  his  back  in  a  swift  current  amid  fioating  ice. 
During  Mr.  Hubbard's  residence  in  Danville  he  devoted 
his  time  mainly  to  the  conduct  of  his  store  at  that  place. 
The  fur  trade  had  been  nearly  abandoneti,  and  but  few 
Indians  remained  on  this  side  of  the  Mississijjpi.  A 
small  band  of  Kickapoos  and  a  few  Potiawatomies  were 
all  that  were  left  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  State.  With 
these  Mr.  Hubbard  retained  his  friendship,  and  two  boys, 
aged  ten  and  twelve  respectively,  were  taken  into  his 
family  to  be  taught  by  his  sisters.  They  remained  with 
him  several  months,  and  proved  to  be  very  intelligent, 
conscientious  and  affectionate. 

At  the  head  of  the  band  of  Kickapoos  was  a  chief 
called  the  Prophet,  whose  nt'-ac,  however,  was  Ka-ne- 
kuck.  He  was  a  Christian,  and  very  much  devoted  to 
the  v/elfare  of  his  tribe,  and  through  his  influence  the 
band  then  remaining  had  become  strictly  temperate,  and 
many  of  them  were  professing  Christians. 


i 

i  I': 


t.'): 


164 

The  following  is  a  translation,  made  by  Mr.  Hubbard, 
of  a  sermon  preached  by  Ka-ne-kuck,  and  is  copied  liom 
the  Illinois  Monfhlf/  Magazine: 

A  KICKAPOO   SERMON. 

''This    discourse   of    Ka-ne-kuck,    an    Indian    chief 
of    the   Kickapoo    trilH;  of    Indians,    was   dehvered  at 
Danville,    Illinois,  July  17,  1831.      The  citizens  of  the 
town  ajid  its  vicinity  had  assembled  at  a  Baptist  meet- 
ing, and  this  Indian,  who  with  a  part  of  his  tribe  was 
encamped  in  the   neighborhood,  and  in  the  habit   of 
preaching  to  his  tribe,  was  informed  that  the  white  people 
wish(>d    to    hear    his    discourse.      He    requested    G.    S. 
Hubbard,  Esq.,  who  understands  the  language,  to  inter- 
pret for  him.     The  congregation   went  to  the  Indian 
encampment    early  in  the  day,  and   before  preaching 
commenced  in  the  town.     The  chief  caused  mats  to  be 
spread  upon  the  ground  for  his  white  audience  to  sit 
upon.    His  Indian  brethren  were  also  seated  near  him  ; 
he   then   commenced  and  addressed  the  assembly  for 
almost  an  hour.     Mr.  Hubbard  repeated  with  great  dis- 
tinctness and  perspicuity,  each  sentence,  as  spoken  by  the 
chief,  and  which  was  accurately  written  down  at  the 
time  by  Solomon  Banta,  Esq.     It  is  proper  to  remark, 
that  Ka  ne-kuck  was  at  one  time  given  to  intemperance. 
About  four  years  since,  he  reformed,  and  is  now  esteemed 
a  correct,  pious,  and  excellent  man.     He  has  acquired  an 
astonishing  influence  over  his  red  brethren,  and  has  in- 
duced all  of  his  particular  tribe,  supposed  to  be  uoav  two 
hundred,  and  about  one  hundred  Potawatomies  who  have 
been  inveterate  drunkards,  to  abstain  entirely  from  the 
use  of  ardent  spirits.    It  is  proper  further  to  remark  that 


165 


Ka-ne-kiick  is  called  a  pi-ophot  amonj^j  the  Indians,  but  is 
not  the  old  prophet,  brother  to  Tecnmseh,  who  is  known 
to  be  not  less  odious  among  the  Indians  than  among  the 
whites,  nor  is  he  related  to  him.  Ka-ne-kuck  appears  to 
be  about  forty  years  of  age ;  is  over  the  ordinary  size  ; 
and,  although  an  untutored  savage,  has  much  in  his 
manner  and  personal  appearance  to  mak(?  him  inter- 
esting. He  is  much  attached  to  the  whites,  and  has 
had  his  son  at  school,  with  a  view  to  give  him  an. 
education. 

The  speech  now  presented  for  publication  derives 
much  of  its  interest  from  the  fact  that  it  is  the  discourse 
of  an  uneducated  man  of  the  forest,  who  is  believed  to 
have  done  more  in  his  sph(n-e  of  action  in  the  cause  of 
temperance,  than  any  other  man  has  effected,  armed 
•with  all  the  power  which  is  conferred  by  learning  and 
talent.  The  fact  of  the  influence  attributed  to  Ka-ne- 
kuck  upon  this  subject,  is  fully  attested  by  gentlemen 
who  are  intimately  acquainted  with  these  Indians,  and 
have  known  them  for  many  years,  and  is,  therefore, 
•entitled  to  the  fullest  confidence. 

MyFhiexds  :  Whore  are  your  thoughts  to-day?  Where  were  they 
yesterday?  Were  they  fixed  upon  doing  good?  or  were  you  drunk, 
tattling,  or  did  anger  rest  in  your  hearts?  I^  you  have  done  any 
of  these  things,  your  Great  Father  in  heaven  knows  it.  His  eye 
is  upon  you.  He  always  sees  you,  and  will  always  see  you.  He 
knows  all  your  deeds.  Ho  has  knowledge  of  the  smallest  transac- 
tions of  your  lives.  Would  you  not  be  ashamed  if  your  friends 
knew  all  your  bad  thoughts  and  actions?  and  are  you  not  ashamed 
that  your  Groat  Father  knows  tiiem,  and  that  He  marks  them 
nicely  ?  You  would  be  ashauKid  of  appearing  here  to-day  with 
bloated  faces  and  swelled  eyes,  occasioned  by  drunkenness.  You 
will  one  day  have  to  go  down  into  the  earth;  what  will  you  do  then,  if 
you  have  not,  followed  your  Great  Father's  advice,  and  kept  His 


lOfl 


4tt 


commaiidmonts?    Ho   ling   jfiven  us  a  gmall  path;  it  is  hard   to 
be  followed;   He  tolls  you  it  loads  to  hapn    om. 

Some  of  you  aro  diHoouragnd  fron.  ''ollowing  vhis  path,  hooause 
it  is  diffi(!ult  to  find.     You  take  the    broad   road    thrt  leads  to 
misory.     But  you  ought  not  to  be  disoouragod;  min*'  the  hook 
he  has  given  for  your  instruction;  :itt-nd  to  its  (jommaiids,  and 
obey  thoin,  and  eaoh  stop  you  take  in  this  narron  path  will  be 
oasier;  the  way  will  become  smoother,  and  at  ti«o  ond  great  will 
bo  the  reward.     Tho  bn.ad  road  some  of  you  choose,  is  full  of 
wide  and  doop  pits;  those  who  follow  it  aro  liable    to   fall  into 
those  pits  ;    they  aro  filled    with  fire  for  the   punishment   of  all 
wick(?d  and  ill  men.     All  professed  drunkards,  tattlers,  liars,  and 
meddling  bodies  are  in  tho   broad  way;  they  can    never   be  re 
ceivod  into  good  places;  their   deeds    are  dark;   thoy  never  see 
light.     Parents   who  do  not  teach    their    children  tho  (Hiferonce 
between  good  and  evil,  are  in  the  bad  road.     Your  Groat  Father 
once  came  into  this  world.    He  came  but  once,  and  staid  but  a 
short  time;  that  is  tho  reason  the  good  path  is  so  narrow. 

The  bad  spirit  is  with  you  always;  he  is  abroad  upon  the  face 
of  the  earth,  and   traveling  in  all  places;  that  is  tho  reason  whj 
the  way  that  leads  to  misory  is  so  broad. 

The  Great  Father  gave  you  a  good  book  filled  with  oomumnds. 
If  you  follow  the  commands,  you  will  go  into  a  good  place  and 
be  happy  forever;  but  if  you  do  not  keep  them,  you  will  go  into 
a  place  prepared  for  the  wicked,  and  suffer  endless  days  and  nights 
of  grief.  Some  of  you  think  you  can  indulge  in  drink  once, 
and  then  you  resolve  to  follow  the  good  commands.  But  aro  you 
sure,  if  you  itidulgo  once,  you  can  refrain  for  the  time  to  come? 

Your  Groat  Father  sees  all  you  do.  Is  it  not  almost  certain 
that  you  will  always  be  repeating  bad  deeds?  You  are  all  sin- 
ners ;  you  can  not  bo  too  much  on  your  guard,  lest  you  tread 
out  o(  the  right  way  into  the  broad  road.  His  eye  notices  the 
smallest  thing,  and  if  you  wish  to  be  good,  your  thoughts  must 
be  on  your  Great  Father  always;  Ho  takes  pleasure  when  he  sees 
your  thoughts  are  placed  on  Him.  If  you  would  all  be  good  you 
would  all  travel  one  road,  and  there  would  be  but  one  road, 
and  your  Great  Father  would  be  with  you  always.  But  this 
can  not  be  ;  every  one  knows  when  he  is  doing  good,  and  if 
he  is  always  conscious  of  doing  good,  he    will  be   received    by 


167 


thtt  Great  Father  ;  thcroforo  guard  with  oare  every  step  you 
take  in  your  life.  One  step  a  day  m  the  narrow  road  is  better 
than  fifteen  steps  a  lay  in  tdo  road  to  ruin.  Ti>e  door  of  hoaven 
is  always  open,  and  the  Great  Father  is  glad  to  receive 
His  children;  those  who  go  there  will  liavo  happines)  without 
end— will  see  their  Great  Father,  and  live  with  Him,  and 
never  be  without  Hin».  If  young  folks  would  biit  iiold  as 
fast  to  thu  good  hook  as  old  a,  1  crippled  people  do  to  their 
oanes  which  support  them,  there  would  bo  no  danger  of  di;  )bey 
ing  its  commands.  Kvery  da;  you  nhtj  Him  the  be  te*-  it  is 
for  you,  and  the  easier  it  is  for  ;  u  to  follow  the  good 
path.  You  must  always  noiice  well  whore  ou  stop,  for  foar 
you  may  be  ternpteil  out  of  tlio  right  path.  When  you  see 
asBomblios  of  amusement,  you  (.  i^lit  to  roileot  that  to  ento' 
thoBi!  may  lea  I  you  to  do  things  contra/y  to  your  Great  Father's 


will. 


Ho  hts  said  He  will  help  those  who  keep  H'"  commands  ;  there- 
fore, you  must  aUvays  notice  your  hoar*?! ;  th^   heart  is  the  fount- 
ain fro.n   which  good  or  ovil  thoughts  flow.     You  a,  o  not  m- 
forms,  incapable   of  knowh^dge,  but  the  Great  Father  has  so  made 
you  that  you  ma    get  a  knowledge  within  yourselves,  and  if  you 
are  good,  you  will  always  see  Him  ;  if  you  place  your  thoughts 
upon  Him,  He  will  never  desert  you  ;  but  they  who  do  not  place 
their  thoughts  upon  Him  will  be  d(;serted-   they  travel  the  broad 
road  and  fall  into  the  pit ;  their  lot    ^  fixed — the>   can  not  touch, 
nor  see  good  ;  they  will  be  in  endless  darkness — they  never  can 
see   their  friends,  their  father,  mother,  brothers,    r  sisters  ;  their 
mends  will  b(>  always  grieving  for  them— they  g(i  where  none  hut 
fools  go,  such  as   'runknrds,  liars,  tattlers,  and  those  who  treat  old 
people  ill  ;  they  never  ci%n  taste  good;  notlung  can  mitigate  the: 
sorrow  an(^   >he  torment  they  suffer.     What  will  become  of  those 
wicked  men  who  slight  the  commands  of  their  Great  Fatiier  V    He 
gave   them   a   book   containing      istructions  to   enlighten    them. 
Who  made  tliat  book  Y     The  Great  tat'    r  made  it  for  their  good; 
long  jigo  he  made  it,  that  their  and  our  hearts  might  be  strong, 
and  that   I  y  reading   it  you  might  see  Him,  that  you  might       -t 
lose  yourselves  ;  a  long  time   ago  He  gave   this  to  instruct  iiis 
children,  and  can  there  yet  be  sucli    fools  as   will   not   receive 
instruction  from  so  good  a  Father  ? 


r 


I 


,'»  % 


B 


fi- 


people  „.W  Ii„„  ;    „„  „„„„  i„  „,„  ,,^,„  ,„.,,  "   I'.'I"^ 

tz  i7,':t :",', '"" "" '":;; •  "^  "■"--  -^ •  ■■->  '-■ 

bi,  »,„„K  /     No  »up|,l,n.tio„  will  ,l,„,  „v„i|-_ynu  will  hav/no 
«  ,  you.    fnon.1.  oa„  „„t  „,t„roo,lo,  f,.,„.  „•: .„.v| ,  ^„„   ^.„„ 

y  :;n' '".r^ r";-"'"--  'o  ""^t  hi..,.  b,„  „,„  i:; 

yi)u  >Mii  go  to  the  buinui^  j)it8. 

YourGro..  P.,l,o.l,.s  i„p,.„.ed  i„  ;,o„r  l,oa,t.  .  k,.„„l,.,lg„ 
r  K  ,„.l  an,   <,v,l,  „,„l  sl,o,v„  y..„  how  ,„  obey  Ili,„  ;  ff  vou  do  no, 
*-  tm.  vv,l    „o„„.  when  y„„  will  ,„„  ,..„  J„„,.,„  ,„  ^;     ';;;,"_^ 
you  ,,,11  be  1„,„„  .larl<„o«_„,|  yo,,,-  for,,,,.,,  wick-.l,,,./™,,  "^ 

Ind,„„  bre.  ,r,.„),  ,l,ey  ,1„  „„t  d,i„k  8.ro„«  li^ul  »»  ,l,ev  o.K-e 
<M  ;  .Ley  do  „o,  shake  tl.rir  fi.„  at  you  ami  abuse  you  /.hey  do 
"O  T,.,-„  „,tl,  oaci,  other.  Their  .hongh.,  are  „po„  .h'eitX'e 
Faber;  ,l,„y  are  „„t  li.rs  and  ,„.,i,.rs.  fond  ol  ridiculi  ,g  ob 
folk,  and  ..  ,  dren,  ax  .bey  „.ed  ,o  be  ;  .heir  oonduet  .o.ard  .l^e 
h,  dren  ,s  d,.rere,„.  For  a  long  .i,„e  ,bey  have  refr„i,K.d  Iron, .  e 
.a.l  prac  ,ce.,  of  s.eaiinjr  and  ,lr„nken„e«,;  .heir  Great  Fa.her  „i  1 
reoe.ve  .hern  n„o  His  own  plaee,  where  .hey  will  bo  happy    ,1^" 

.Tl".''Xi    g''"'V'f    ;""■?'  '""^  "•^"  ^-  ''■^■-hildr|.,f  a'ro,:  d 
them     the.r  .^rent  Jalber  loves  .heir  hear.,,  for  .b.-y  are  stron.. 

Why,  .hen,  should  .hey  not  love  Hiu,  ?    He  tell,  ,he,„  He  hn.; 

them  i  He  g.ve,  .be.n  „n  opporl.nmy  .„  know  Him  ;  the  G,ea. 

ia  ber  ha,  ,,,,.,  led  i„,o  ,1„.,„  a  knowledge  of  good  an,l  eWl  by 

H.»  work,  ;  He  ha,  not  instrue.ed  .hen,  by  books.     He  loves  His 

chihben  bo.h  ,ed  and  white.     I  have  done!" 

On  the  b.«aki„g  out  of  the  Black  Ha%vk  wa.-  in  18;!2 
Mr.  Hubbard  induced  Colonel  Moo.v,  whocon.niandedtho 
^ernnhon  County  n.ilitia,  to  call  out  his  regiment  aud 
niarcl,  at  once  to  the  sce.,e  of  hostilities!  himself  f.nnish- 
lug  provisions,  aminunition,  and  transportation  wagons 


IflJ) 


Tlireo  days  aft(»r  t\w  \wwn  of  the  conim(»nf(>ni(Mit  of 
horttilitioH  was  received  th«^y  departed,  and  on  reaching 
Joliet  they  built  a  stockade  fort,  whi(;h  they  garrisoiied 
with  on(i  company,  and  proceeded  to  East  I)u  Piige,  where 
a  similar  defense  was  constructed  and  garrisoned,  and 
the  remainder  of  the  regiment  marched  to  Starved  Rock, 
where  they  were  disbanded.  Mr.  Hubbard  then  joined  a 
company  of  H(;outs  for  sixty  days,  and  served  in  that 
capacity  until  the  company  was  disbanded.  While  con- 
nected with  (Jolonel  Moore's  regiment  he  commanded  the 
advance,  and  found  and  buried  the  body  of  Kev.  Adam 
Payne,  who  had  been  murdered  by  the  Indians. 

Mr.  Hubbard  represented  Vermilion  County  in  the 
eighth  General  Assembly,  which  convened  December  3, 
183i?,  and  adjoui'ued  March  2.  183;,  Dui-ing  this  session 
he  intioduced  a  bill  for  the  construction  of  the  Illinois 
&  Mi(;higan  Canal,  which  passed  the  house,  but  was 
defeated  in  the  senate.  He  then  substituted  a  bill  for  a 
railroad,  which  was  also  defeated  in  the  senate  by  the 
casting  vote  oi  the  presiding  officer.  He  attendtMJ  every 
session  of  the  Legislature  thereafter  to  urgc^  the  i)assage 
of  a  canal  bill,  until  the  bill  was  finally  passed  in  1835-36. 

Mr.  Hubbard,  Wm.  F.  Thornton,  and  Wm.  B.  Archer 
were  api)ointed  by  Governor  Duncan  the  first  board  of 
Canal  Commissioners,  in  1835.  They  served  until  1841, 
when  their  successors  were  elected  by  the  Legislature 
under  a  new  law  which  deprived  the  Govei-nor  of  the 
appointive  power. 

On  July  4,  1830,  the  commencement  of  the  canal  was 
celebrated,  and  Mr.  Hubbard  dug  the  first  spadeful  of 
earth. 

In  1834  lie  moved  from  Danville  to  Chicago  and  took 


:!.1 


up  his  permanent  residence  there.  He  erected,  at  the 
corner  of  La  Salle  and  South  Water  streets,  the  first 
large  brick  building  in  Chicago,  which  was  called  by  the 
inhabitants  -  Hubbard^ s  Folly,"  because  of  its  size  and 
the  permanent  manner  of  its  construction. 

By  act  of  the  Legislature,  February  11,  1835,  the 
"Town  of  Chicago"  was  incorporated,  with  Gurdon  S. 
Hubbard,  John  H.  Kinzie,  Ebenezer  Goodrich,  John  K 
Boyer,  and  John  S.  C.  Hogan  as  its  first  trustees.    It 
comprised  all  the  territory  covered  by  sections  9  and  16, 
north    and  south  fractional  section  10,  and  fractional 
section  15,  all  in  town  39  north,  range  U  east  of   the 
third  principal   meridian; ''provided  that  the  authority 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  said  town  of  Chicago 
shall  not  extend  over  the  south  fractional  section  10 
until  the  same  shall  cease  to  be  occupied  by  the  United 
States."* 

He  was  also  a  director  of  the  Chicago  bi-anch  of  the 
State  Bank  of  Illinois.  He  was  one  of  the  incorporators, 
of  tiie  Chicago  Hydraulic  Company,  which  built  its 
works  at  the  foot  of  Lake  street,  and  supplied  the  south 
and  a  part  of  the  west  side  with  water  until  its 
franchises  were  purchased  by  the  city  in  1852.  In  1848 
he  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Chicago  Board  of 
Trade. 

In  1836  he  sold  out  his  mercantile  business  and  built 
a  warehouse  fronting  on  Kinzie  stieet  and  the  river,  and 
oi-ganized  the  firm  of  Hubbard  &  Co.-Henry  G.  Hub- 
bard and  Elijah  K.  Hubbard  being  his  partners. 

This  firm  embarked  lai-gely  m  the  forwarding  and 
commissionjmsiness^^id  becam^in^  in  a  great. 

*From  report  of  Commissioner  of  Public  WoTHDeTsi^  1880. 


171 


number  of  vessels  and  steamers  forming  the  "Eagle 
Line,"  between  Buffalo  and  the  upper  lakes.  In  this 
year  he  wrote  for  the  ^tna  Insurance  Company  the 
first  policy  ever  issued  in  Chicago,  and  continued  as  agent 
of  that  and  other  companies  until  1868.  The  previous 
year  he  had  gone  more  extensively  into  the  packing  busi- 
ness, and  had  cut  up  and  packed  thirty-five  hundred  hogs. 
This  business  he  continued,  and  was  for  liiany  years 
known  as  the  largest  packer  in  the  West.  In  1808  his 
large  packing  house  was  deetroyed  by  fire,  and  he  then 
abandoned  the  business. 

In  later  years,  in  connection  with  A.  T.  Spencer,  he 
established  a  line  of  steamers  to  Lake  Superior,  among 
which  were  the  Superior  and  Lady  Elgin.  The  Supe- 
rior was  lost  on  the  rocks  in  Lake  Superior,  and  the  loss 
of  the  Lady  Elgin  is  familiar  history.  After  the  loss  of 
his  packing  house  he  engaged  in  the  direct  importation 
of  tea  from  China,  and  organized  a  company  for  that 
purpose.  The  great  fire  of  October  9,  1871,  destroyed  his 
business,  burned  his  property,  and  crippled  him  finan- 
cially, and  from  that  time  he  retired  from  active  business 
life. 

The  Hon.  Grant  Goodrich,  in  a  memorial  read  before 
the  Chicago  Historical  Society,  says  of  him  : 

' '  There  are  few  of  the  numerous  veins  of  commerce 
and  wealth-producing  industries  that  draw  to  this  pul- 
sating heart  of  the  great  West  that  boundless  agricult- 
ural and  mineral  wealth,  which  through  iron  arteries  and 
water  craft  is  distributed  to  half  a  world,  that  have  not 
felt  the  inspiration  of  his  genius,  and  been  quickened  by 
his  enterprise  and  energy.  The  assertion  that  in  the 
progress  of  events,  one  who  has  reached  the  ordinary 


-4   '• 


172 

limit  of  hiiniar.  life  in  thisag.)  luts  lived  Icngei-  than  the 
oldest  antediluvian,  is  surely  voi-ified  in   the  life  of  Mr. 
Hubhard.      What   marvelous    transformation    he    wit- 
nessed.    When  he  reached  Mackinaw  at  scarce  sixteen 
years  of  age,  save  in  the  vicinity  of  Deti-oit,  Mic;higan 
the  northern  part  of  Indiana  and  Illinois,  all  Wisconsin 
and  the  limitless  West  whieh   lies  beyond-except  here 
and  there  a  trading  i)ost-was  an  unbroken  wilderness 
pathless,  except  by  lakes  and  livers  and  the  narrow  trail 
ot  the  Indian  and  trapper.  Sixty-eight  years  have  passed, 
and  what  a  cliange  !     It  chall.^nges  all  historic  parallel 
Before  the  march  of  ciWlization  the  wild  Indian  has  dis- 
appeared,  or  been  driven    toward  the  setting  sun  ;  the 
dark  forests  and  prairie,  garden  fields  where  he  rovi^  in 
thepi-ideof  undisputed  dominion,  have  been  transfornwl 
mto  harvest  fields,  dotted  with  villages  and  cities,  some 
of  them  crowded  with  huiuhe-ls  of  thousands  of  inhabit- 
ants, where  the  hum  of  vaiied  industry  is  never  silent, 
and  the  smoke  of  forges  and  facto.-ies  darkens  the  sky'. 
"The  canoe  nnd  open  boat  have  given  place  to  thou- 
sand-ton vessels,  and  steamers  of  twice  that  burden.  The 
narrow  trails  over  which  the  Indian  trotted  his  i)ony 
are  traversed  or  crossed  by  loads  of  iroii,  on  which  iron 
horses  rush   along  with   the  speed  of  the   wind.      The 
amazing  change  may  be  moi-e  strikinglv  realized  when 
we  reme.nber  that  while  within  the  present  limits  of 
Cook  County,  there  were   then   only  three  dwellings  of 
white  men  outside  of  the  garrison  inclosure,  there  now 
dwell   more  than   eight  hundred  thousand  people,  and 
that  the  seat  of  political  power  in  this  great  Nation  has 
Ix-HMi  transferred  to  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi ;  that  it 
has  made  it  possible  to  scale  the  heights  of  the  Eocky 


173 

Mountains  with  railroads,  and  bring  the  Atlantic  and 
Pacific  Oceans  into  near  neighborliood,  and  bind  the  East 
and  West  together  with  bands  of  steel. 

"  History  has  made  immortal  the  names  and  achieve- 
ments of  men  wlio  have  subdued,  or  founded,  states  and 
empires  by  force  and  sanguinary  war.  Do  not  these 
early  pioneers,  who,  armed  with  the  arts  of  peace, 
bravely  met  the  dangers  and  endured  the  toils  necessary 
to  subjugate  the  great  western  wilderness  to  the  abodes 
of  peace  and  blessings  of  education,  enlightened  free- 
dom, and  the  elevating  appliances  of  civilization,  merit 
equal  admiration  and  gratitude  as  lasting  'i 

'•Those  who  believe  that  in  the  world's  coming  history 
its  crowned  heroes  and  benefactors  are  to  be  those  who 

« 

win  the  bloodless  victories  of  peace,  and  by  acts  of  self- 
sarfjrifice  and  beneficence  scatter  widest  the  blessings  of 
Christian  civilization,  will  hold  these  men,  and  Gurdon  S. 
HuW>ard  as  a  j^'mve  among  them,  in  highest  honor  and 
esteem." 

We  turn  now  to  the  personal,  social,  and  private  life 
of  Mr  Hubbard.  WluUi  perfection  can  be  claimed  for  no 
man,  he  appears  to  ha^ve  Ijiorne  himself,  in  all  the  duties 
pertaining  to  tliese  relatiofw,  in  a  manner  deserving 
commendation  and  respect.  He  was  married  in  1831  to 
Miss  Elenora  Berry,  of  Ohio,  who  died  in  Oiicago  in  1838, 
six  days  after  the  birth  of  their  son.  In  18413  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  Ann  Hubbard,  of  Chicago,  who, 
through  the  years  of  his  helpless  blindness,  attended  upon 
his  every  want  with  the  coi  staiit  devotion  of  a  true 
and  loving  wife. 

In  the  discharge  of  his  filial  and  fraternal  obUgationn  he 
set  an  example  of  highest  admiration.     As  bef«>re  :  ^ated, 


liiiriiffy 


Kui 


174 

during  his  service  with  the  Fur  Company  he  gave  eighty 
dollars  a  year  of  his  wages  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
dollars,    toward  the  maintenance    of  his    mother  and 
dependent  sisters.     Afterwards,  when  his  income  was 
increased,  enlarged  their  allowance,  and  until  his  mother 
died  was  their  main  support,  which  was  continued  to  his 
sisters  down  to  his  death.    To  provide  agamst  all  con- 
tingencies, he  executed  a  deed  of  trust,  some  twenty  years 
ago,  and  also  by  his  last  will,  provided  for  their  support 
during  life.     Socially,  he  was  gei  .al,  sympathetic,  and 
affable.     His  remarkable  life  and  experiences  made  him 
interesting  and  instructive.     He  was  thoughtfully  care- 
ful of  the  feelings,  and  charitable  to  the  faults,  of  others. 
Firm  m  his  convictions  and  principles,  but  never  intol- 
erant,   he    was  always    the    dignified    and    courteous 
gentleman.     As  a  neighbor  he  was  kind,  and  as  a  friend 
faithful  and  confiding.    His  heart  overflowed  with  sym- 
pathy for  the  poor  and  unfortunpte,  and  his  hand  was 
always  open  for  their  relief.     As  a  husband  he  was  care- 
fully tender,  loving  and  true  ;   as  a  parent  affectionate-, 
generous,  and  indulgent.  As  a  citizen  he  was  patriotic  and 
earnest  in  the  promotion  of  what  he  believed  for  the  best 
interests  of  his  country.     These  worthy  traits  of  charac- 
ter are  the  more  remarkable,  when  we  remember  that 
his  youth  and  early  manhood  were  spent  away  from 
parental  restraints,  and  amidst  scenes  of  temptation  and 
influences  so  adverse  to    strict   morals   and    Christian 
obligations.     But  the  religious  principles  imbibed  from 
his  mother's  lips  and  the  schools  of  those  early  days, 
seemed  to  have  exercised  a  controlling   influence  over 
him. 

I  think  it  due  him  I  should  give  the  following  extracts 


175 


from  letters  of  Ramsey  Crooks,  the  active  head  of  the 
American  Fur  Company,  and  one  from  Mr.  Stewart,  the 
Secretary  : 

Under  date  of  April,  1820,  Mr.  Crooks  says  :  *'Gurdon 
has  thus  far  behaved  himself  in  an  exemplary  manner 
for  one  of  his  age." 

In  a  letter  of  March,  1826,  urging  Mrs.  Hubbard  to 
visit  her  son,  he  says  :  "  You  will  see  him  at  his  daily 
duties,  and  you  will  see  what  will  gladden  the  heart  of  a 
Christian  mother,  how  faithfully  he  performs  his  daily 
duties,  how  much  ho  is  loved  and  respected  by  his  em- 
ployers and  friends." 

August  3,  1821,  Mr.  Stewart  writes  her :  "He  spends 
his  winters  with  an  old  gentleman  of  finished  education 
and  correct  gentlemanly  manners.  His  account  of  your 
son  is  as  flattering  as  a  fond  mother  could  wish.  *  ^• 
He  is  strictly  sober,  and,  I  believe,  a  great  economist. 
I  feel  that  I  state  the  truth  when  I  tell  you  I  think  him 
exempt  from  the  vices  which  too  frequently  attend  youth 
of  his  age."  These  commendations  speak  for  them- 
selves. In  his  church  associations  he  was  an  Episcopalian. 
He  was  one  of  those  who  organized  St.  James  Episcopal 
Church,  the  first  of  that  denomination  existing  in 
•Chicago,  and  of  whicli  he  subsequently  became  a 
communicant. 

In  January,  18S3,  he  was  taken  with  chills,  and  in  the 
following  May  lost  the  sight  of  his  left  eye,  from  which 
time  he  suffered  from  blood  poisoning  and  frequent 
abscesses,  and  from  almost  constant  pains  in  his  eyes 
and  neck.  In  the  succeeding  April,  ilie  eye  was  removed, 
and,  though  eighty-two  years  old,  without  anesthetics 
of  any  kind,  or  any  one  to  hold  his  hands;  the  steady 


I 


I 


•14 


I  Mi 

1 .1- 


170 

nerve  and  solf  control  that  so  distinguished  him  in  his 
earher  years,  enabled  him  simply  to  lie  down  and  have 
his  eye  cut  out.  In  July,  18S5,  the  sight  of  his  remain- 
ing  eye  was  extinguished,  leav  ing  him  in  the  horrors  of 
total  darkness ,;  about  one  year  ago,  his  remaining  eye 
was  also  removed,  greatly  relieving  him  from  torturing 
pains. 

Such  a  calamity  and  rayless  darkness  can  mniher  be 
imagined  nor  described.     But  in  him,  the  fruits  of  the 
discipline   of    suffering  were    beautifully   exhibited    in 
uncomplaining  submission  to  the  Divine  will,  and  patient 
endurance  of  his  affliction,  through  all  the  long  night  of 
his  blindness ;  in  his  grateful  sense  oP  the  sympathy  of 
friends,  and  tender  thankfulness  for  the  helpful  care  and 
attentions  of  his  loved  ones,     it  was  manifest  that,  while 
material  tilings  were  excluded  from  his  sight,  his  nature 
was  more  fully  conformed  and  assimilated  to  that  of  his 
Divine  Eedeemer,  by  the  contemplation  of  the  spiritual 
and  unseen  ;  and  on  the  14th  day  of  September,  1886, 
at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years,  he  fell  peacefully  to  sleep 
with  the  full  assurance  he  would  awaken  into  supernal 
light,  with  restored  and  immortal  vision." 


h  ,\ 


179 


UNDKRWRITKKS'    MEMORIAL. 

CiiiCAiiO,  October  19,  1886. 

Mrs.  Gi'RDON  S.  Hvhuaud— Dear  Madame:  I  hand  you  here- 
with a  copy  of  minute  adopted  by  the  Chicago  Fire  Under- 
writers' Association,  at  a  meeting  held  September  27,  last, 
expressive  of  the  appreciation  in  which  the  life  and  services  of 
Mr.  Hubbard  are  held  by  its  members. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  for  me  to  assure  you  that  the  minute 
expresses  a  genuine  feeling  of  sorrow  that  a  long  and  useful  life 
has  come  to  an  end.  Such  sorrow,  however,  is  temj^  cred  by  the 
reflection  that  he.  whose  energy  and  integrity  have  been  among 
the  motives  the  result  of  which  has  been  the  mighty  city  among 
whose  citizens  we  are  proud  to  be  reckoned,  has  gone  to  the 
reward  that  awaits  the  just  in  the  "City  of  our  God." 
1  am,  your  obedient  servant, 

R.  N,  Trim  INGHAM,  Secretary, 


MEMORIAL, 


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ai 


At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Chicago  Fire  Underwriters' 
Association,  held  September  27.  1880,  the  following 
minute  was  unanimously  adopted : 

Gurdon  S.  Hubbard,  the  oldest  resident  of  Chicago, 
and  the  first  of  its  underwriters,  was  born  at  Windsor, 
Vermont,  August  22,  1802,  and  died  September  14, 
1880.  It  is  eminently  proper  that  the  representatives  of 
the  underwriting  interests  of  to-day  should  meet  to 
commemorate  in  some  fitting  words  liis  life  and  death. 

Mr.  Hubbard  came  to  Chicago  as  a  fur  trader  nearly 
seventy  years  ago.  He  found  a  fort  and  an  Indian 
trading  post.  Before  he  died  the  trading  post  had  grown 
to  be  the  fourth  city  in  the  United  States.  In  his  life 
he  saw  the  Indian  give  place  to  the  settler,  the  fort  suc- 
ceeded by  the  village,  the  village  by  tlie  town,  and  the 
town  by  a  great  city.  He  saw  the  wilderness  change 
into  the  wealth-producing  farms  and  the  comfortable 
homes  of  millions  of  people,  and  the  fur  barter  of  a  few 
Indians  at  the  mouth  of  the  Chicago  River  changed  into 
the  mighty  commerce  of  a  city  of  six  hundred  thousand 
inhabitants.     Mr.    Hubbard    did    not  sit  supinely  and 

(180) 


I 


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watch  this  ^rowtli  <■  tent  to  icap  the  harvest  without 
beinj<  himself  an  a(  "  lah^rer  in  the  field.  He  not  only 
shared  in  the  (•<  rcial  enterprises  that  made  the  city 

what  it  is,  but  h'  w  a-<  the  originator  and  the  pioneer  in 
many  of  the  mo-    important  ol  th<  ^        .as  one  of 

the  first  and    lie  most  active  as  a  nu  .n  developing 

trade  with  tiie  surrounding:  country;  ht  Lostered  the 
transportation  interest  of  •  lakes  and  was  himself  at 
one  time  a  large  shipownei ;  he  was  one  of  the  first,  if 
not  the  first,  to  establish  the  industry,  now  so  impor- 
tant, of  packing  cattle  and  hogs,  and  he  was  the  first 
representative  of  that  great  interest  wbich  goes  hand  in 
hand  with  commerce  and  manufacti,  protecting  and 
sustaining  them;  the  interest  of  which  we  assembled 
here  are  the  present  representatives. 

Mr.  Hubbard  wrote  the  first  insurance  policy  ever 
written  in  Chicago,  fifty  years  ago,  for  the  ^tna  Insu- 
rance Company,  of  Hartford.  He  continued  to  repre- 
sent the  ^Etna  and  other  insurance  conii)anies  many 
years  after  this,  at  first  by  himself,  and  later  in  i)artner- 
ship  with  the  late  Charles  H.  Hunt,  and  his  name  is  closely 
associated  with  both  the  fire  and  the  marine  insurance 
transactions  of  those  early  days.  Throughout  his  entire 
cai-eer  as  merchant,  manufacturer,  and  underwriter,  Mr. 
Hubbard  maintained  a  course  marked  by  so  much  integ- 
rity, that  we  of  a  later  generation  may  well  record  as 
we  do  in  these  few  words  our  apprt>ciation  of  his  life  and 
our  respect  for  his  character.     Therefore, 

Be  if  Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  Mr.  Hubbard  we 
feel  not  only  the  loss  of  a  true  friend,  a  useful  and  hon- 
orable tdtizen,  a  Christian  gentleman,  but  of  the  father 
of  our  profession  in  this  city. 


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182 

Besolved,  That  the  association  do  extend  our  heartfelt 
sympathies  to  the  family,  and  as  they  mourn  the  loss  of 
a  kmd  husband  and  father,  we  also  mourn  the  loss  of  a 
true  man,  one  whose  many  years  of  upright  and  faithful 
leadership  commanded  not  only  our  respect  and  confi- 
dence, but  our  love  and  admiration,  one  whose  entire 
life-record  is  a  golden  legacy  beyond  all  price. 

Resolved,  That  this  minute  be  spread  on  our  records 
and  a  copy  be  forwarded  to  the  family  of  the  deceased.' 

S.  M.  Moore, 
Geo.  C.  Clarke, 
Edward  M.  Teall, 
Wm.  E.  Eice, 
,    Hekry  H.  Brown, 

n^r.  TXT   T^  Committee. 

Charles  W.  Drew,  President. 

R.  N.  Trlmlvgham,  Secretary. 


TRIHUTE   OF    RKV.    G.    S.    F.    SAVAGE,   D.  D. 

In  the  recent  death  of  Mr.  Gurdon  S.  Hubbard,  at  the  ripe  age 
of  eighty-four  years,  there  passed  away  not  only  the  oldest  settler 
of  Chicago  but  a  man  who  has  filled  a  large  and  honorable  place 
f  om  the  beginning  in  her  wonderful  history.  Well-merited 
tributes  have  been  paid  by  the  public  press  to  his  character  and 
achievements  as  a  citizen,  a  business  man,  and  a  friend.  But 
there  is  one  aspect  of  his  character,  especiallv  developed  in  the 
closing  years  of  his  aventful  life,  which  deserves  a  more  distinct 
recognition,  viz.:  his  strong  Christian  faith  and  trust  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Cnrist  as  his  personal  Savior;  his  love  of  the  Bible  as  the 
nspxred  Word  of  his  heavenly  Father,  and  his  uncomplaining 
submission  to  God's  will  under  the  .evere  discipline  of  his  provi 


183 


In  middle  life  he  became  a  professed  Christian — a  member  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  church,  whose  services  he  greatly  prized. 
He  was  one  of  the  founders  and  officers  of  the  first  Episcopal 
church  established  in  Chicago — the  St.  James — and  a  liberal  sup- 
porter of  the  same.  And  it  was  with  much  paui  and  large  sacri- 
fice to  himself  that  he  left  her  communion,  when  dissatisfied  with 
what  he  believed  to  be  the  unscriptural  and  .-itualistic  doctrines 
and  practices  which  had  crept  into  the  church  of  his  love.  Yet, 
as  a  matter  of  principle,  when  the  time  came  for  action,  he  did  not 
hesitate  to  leave  it,  and  join  the  then  small  and  despised  Reformed 
Episcopal  church,  cheerfully  giving  his  influence,  counsel,  and 
pecuniary  aid  to  this  new  and  struggling  organization. 

During  all  those  years  of  intensely  active  business  life  he 
maintained  a  Christian  character  above  reproach.  But  it  was  in 
the  closing  years  of  his  life,  when  the  infirmities  of  age,  and 
disease,  and  blindness  laid  him  aside  from  his  accustomed  activi- 
ties, that  there  was  such  a  marked  development  of  Christian 
character,  and  of  a  rich  Christian  experience,  as  attracted  the 
special  attention  of  friends,  and  became  worthy  of  special  note. 
Amid  all  the  weaknesses,  total  blindness,  and  sufferings  of  the 
last  two  years  of  his  life  he  did  not  lose  his  interest  in  passing 
events  at  home,  or  abroad;  he  wanted  to  know  the  news  and  the 
religious  intelligence  which  the  daily  and  weekly  press  furnished. 
He  listened  with  pleasure  to  the  reading  of  many  books  of  his- 
tory, biography,  and  general  literature,  and  especially  to  devo- 
tional religious  books,  but  he  would  readily  turn  from  all  these  to 
the  Bible,  and  was  not  satisfied  unless  several  chaptf  's  were  read 
to  him  daily.  His  love  for  the  Bible  was  remarkable.  He  fed 
with  delight  upon  its  truths.  He  found  in  its  teachings  that 
which  brought  a  peace,  a  comfort,  a  blessedness  to  his  soul 
which  he  found  nowhere  else.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  was  to  him 
a  present  and  personal  helper  and  friend,  enabling  him  to  bear 
cheerfully  and  uncomplainingly  his  infirmities  and  pains.  Family 
worship  he  greatly  enjoyed.  Prayer  to  him  was  a  reality  and  was 
often  upon  his  lips;  and  nothing  gave  him  more  delight  than  to 
have  a  Christian  friend  come  and  pray  with  him,  and  converse 
upon  religious  themes.  His  sweet  patience  and  submission  to  all 
God's  dealings  with  him,  revealed  the  depth  and  strength  of  his 
Christian  character  and  attainments. 


184 

The  Sabbath  morning  before  his  death,  having  had  a  night  of 
suflFer.ng,  he  talked  with  his  wife   calmly  and   clearly  about  what 
she  should  do,  expressing  in  fervent,  loving  words  his  appreciation 
of  the  tender  care  which  she  had  given  him;  reminding  her  that  it 
was  time  for  family  prayers,  and  when   the  Scriptures  were  read 
the  hymn,  «  My  faith  looks  up   to  thee,"   was  sung  and    prayer 
ottered,  he,  with   feeble  and  broken  accents,  joined  in  repeatin<r 
the  Lord's  Prayer.     After  that  there  was  read  to  him  the  chapter^ 
relatmg  to  the   throe   men  who  were  cast  into  that  fiery  furnace 
and  the  Son   of  God  walking  with   them— when  he  spoke  of  his 
bemg  in  the  furnace  and  that  Jesus  would  be  with  him,  because 
he  trusted  in  him. 

He  loved  life,  but  met  death  without  fear  or  anxiety,  "knowing 
whom  he  had  believed,  and  that  he  was  able  to  keep  that  com- 
mitted  unto  him  against  that  day."  ♦'  He  walked  with  God  and 
was  not,  for  God  took  him." 

G.  S.  F,  Savagk. 


LETTER    FKOM    MISS    DUYKK. 

My  Dear  Mrs.  Hubbard  :    Though    day   by   day  we  « walk 
through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  and  grow  weary  trying 
to  fear  no  evil,"  we  find  it  hard  to  let  our  friends  pass  on  without 
us  into  the  unclouded  light  and  promised  rest  of  heaven.     In  the 
home  where  we  have  loved  them,  we  want  to  keep  them  ;  and  if  we 
could,  we   certainly  would   deliver  them   from   the  power  of  the 
grave,  and  follow  them  on  to  gaze  enraptured  into  the  face  of  our 
Lord.     But  impenetrable  mysteries  divide  us  and  them,  and  only 
faith  finds  consolation  for  us,  in  the  fact  that  Jesus  does  not  lose 
sight  of  those  He  loves.     "Father,  I  will  that  they  also,  whom 
thou  hast  given  me,  be  with  me  where  1  am,"  that  comforts  us  ! 
*' He'll  not  be  in  glory  and  leave  us  behind." 

Dear  Mr.  Hubbard  has  gone  to  be  "  forever  with  the  Lord  " 
The  news  surprised  me.  I  thought  he  would  stay  with  you 
onger.  Your  untiring,  tender  care  of  him,  through  these  last, 
long  months  of  dependence  and  child-like  trust,  filled  his  life  with 
so  much  comfort  that  T,  with  others,  have  thought  he  might  live 
months  or  even  years  longer  ;  and  his  marvelous  endurance,  his 
remarkable  recuperation,  his  unflinching  fortitude,  and  his  patient 


185 

resignation    so  stimulated  our  loving  hopes  that  his  departure 
finds  us  unprepared,  even  while  he  was  ready  and  waiting. 

Dear  old  man  !  so  sweetly  submissive  to  God,  in  his  sore 
afHictions  !  Without  a  murmur  he  parted  with  those  beautiful 
far-seeing  o ,  es — eyes  that  had  scanned  the  horizon  of  Lake 
Michigan  and  thest  wild  prairies  before  Chicago  thought  of  anchor- 
ing here — eyes  for  a  long  lifetime  used  to  look  right  on  and  on  for 
some  new  enterprise,  some  new  good  ;  and  when,  after  long  auf- 
fering,  he  saw  their  light  flicker  and  fade  out,  he  never  stopped 
looking,  but  right  on  to  the  celestial  heights  whence  cometh  ever- 
lasting help,  he,  witli  the  sweetest  simplicity  of  faith,  still  looked 
and  endured,  as  seeing  Him  who  is  invisible. 

I  count  it  among  my  most  precious  privileges  to  have  been  so 
much  in  your  family  for  more  than  a  decade,  and  I  shall  always 
remember  Mr.  Hubbard's  growing  fondness  for  the  word  of  God 
and  for  prayer,  and  his  interest  in  our  Christian  work.  So  much 
loving-  kindness ;  so  many  good  wr- '  ;  such  hearty,  pleasant 
welcomes ;  for  how  much  shall  I  cherish  his  memory  and  antici- 
pate meeting  him  in  heaven. 

In  Christian  love  and  hope, 

At  KiLBOiTRK,  Wis.,  Sept.  23,  1886.  Emma  Dryek. 


(Extracts  from  Memorial  ot"  Sons  of  Vermont.) 

GURDON  SALTONSTALL  HUBBARD. 
Mr.  Hubbard's  life  is  remarkable  for  its  covering  the 
time  in  which  Illinois  has  grown  from  an  unimportant 
Territory  into  the  fourth  State  of  the  Union  in  wealth 
and  population  ;  in  which  Chicago  has  grown  from  a 
mere  military  station  into  the  great  city  of  the  West ; 
and  in  these  changes,  Mr.  Hubbard  had  an  active  and 
honorable  part,  passing  away  while  held  in  high  esteem 
by  his  fellow  citizens  for  his  adventurous  and  useful 
career.  Of  all  the  Sons  of  Vermont,  none  has  done  more 
for  the  State  of  his  adoption  than  this  man  has  done  for 
Illinois. 


180 


^• 


* 


■•/: 


In  these  sketches  of  his  younger  days,  we  may  well 
introduce  the  j)ersonality  of  Mr.  Huhhard.  He  was 
when  grown,  of  full  height  and  of  muscular  huild  ;  his 
nose  was  prominent,  mouth  large,  lips  firmly  set,  features 
n-regular,  expression  serious,  hut  not  stern.  He  had 
great  strength  and  tenacity. 

^-  ''  ''■  ■>^-  -^  -^  .-,  -X- 

Promptitude  and  courage  were  equally  his  characteris- 
tics.    When  Fort  Dearhorn  was  set  on  fire  he  swam  the 
river  to  get  to  it,  as  no  canoe  was  ready.    On  the  out- 
break of  the  Winnebago  war  of  1827,  it  was  desired  to 
send  a  messenger  to  the  settlements  south  of  Chicago  and 
on  the  east  side  of  the  State.     Mr.  Hubbard  was  the  vol- 
unteer messenger,  and  worked  through  great  dangers 
and  difficulties.      Keturning  from   Danville  with  fifty 
men,    he    came  to    the   Vermilion    River,    which   was 
swollen   with  rains,   full,  wide,  and  swift.    The  horses 
werr  driven  into  the  stream  to  swim  over,  but  only  made 
a  cn-cuit  and  returned.     Mr.  Hubbard  threw  off  his  coat 
and   mounted   "  Old  Charley, "   a  stout,    steady,    horse, 
which  the  rest  might  be  induced  to  follow,  and  rode  in, 
but  in  midstream  Old   Charley   became  unmanageable ; 
then  Mr.  Hubbard  threw  himself  off  on  the  upper  side, 
caught  the  horse  by  the  mane,  and,  swimming  with  his 
free  hand,  guided  the  animal  across,  while  his  friends 
were  fearful  he  would  be  washed  under  the  horse  or  be 
struck  by  its  hoofs,  and  so  lose  his  life. 

•^  ->^  *  *  *  -x-  *  ^ 

Mr.  Hubbard  finally  settled  in  Chicago  in  1833  or  1834. 

His  business  lay  in  many  places  at  once,  but  now  was 

centered  here.     From  this  time  on,  his  career  was  not 

among  dangers  to  life  and  limb,  and  his  adventures  were 


187 

tlie  peaceful  ones  of  oommeice.  But  as  he  had  heen  the 
pioneer  trader,  he  was  still  one  of  the  foremost  in  all  new- 
things. 


•^ 


V: 


While  husy  for  the  public  in  various  ways  he  was 
making  money  for  himself,  and  using  it  generously. 
The  land  speculations  of  1836-3T  he  turned  to  good  ac- 
count. His  losses  in  the  great  fire,  when  he  was  past  the 
age  of  active  effort  to  retrieve  his  fortunes,  were  great, 
but  he  still  retained  a  handsome  competence,  at  least. 
He  lived  in  a  plain,  unostentatious  way,  from  his  natural 
tastes,  and  he  was  a  familiar  figure  at  the  meetings  of 
the  Historical  Society  and  of  the  Old  Settlers.  In  poli- 
tics he  was  a  Whig,   and  afterwards    a    Republican. 


* 


-.<: 


^t 


Lately  Mr.  Hubbard's  health  failed,  both  by  age  and 
by  disease.  Three  years  ago,  an  abscess  compelled  the 
removal  of  one  eye  ;  a  year  later  the  other  was  removed. 
Then  the  old  pioneer,  in  the  midst  of  the  great  city  he  had 
helped  to  build,  weak  as  a  child  and  helpless  as  an  infant, 
sat  two  years  in  darkness,  bearing  his  lot  patiently,  and 
waiting  the  stroke  of  death,  which  fell  at  last  all  gently 
on  his  hoary  head. 


(From  the  Chicago  Times,  September  18,  1886.) 
GURDON    S.   HUBBARD'S   FUNERAL. 

IMPRESSIVE    SERVICHS,  I'AnTlCIPATED    IX  BY    NEARLY    AT-L   THE 
REMAINING    PIONEERS    OF   CHICAGO. 

The  remains  of  Gurdon  S.  Hubbard,  the  pioneer,  were  consigned 
to  their  last  resting  place  yesterday.  The  funeral,  while  quiet 
and  unostentatious,  was  a  notable  one  in  many  respects.  In  the 
morning  the  remains  lay  in  the  front  parlor  of  the  Hubbard  resi- 
dence, No.  143  Locust  street. 


188 

Tho  furncral  services  took  place  at  the  New  Enffland  Coiiffre- 
ffatio.ml  Churcl.,    Delaware  place  and  Dearborn  avenue.     From 
the  moment  the  doors  were  opened,  a  cc^aseless  stream  of  people 
entered,  and  at  2  o'clock  every  seat  except  those  reserviMl  for  the 
mourners  was  occupied.     The  funeral  party  was  met  at  the  door  by 
Kev.  J.  D.  VVdson,  pastor  of  St.  John's  Reformed  Episcopal  Church 
of  which   Mr.    Ilubbar.!  was  a  men.ber.      The  pall-bearers  werJ 
Ex-Governor  William  Bross,  Judge  John  1).  Caton,  General  Buck- 
ingham   Colonel  John  I.  Bennett,  G.  M.  Higginson,  J.  McGregor 
Adams,   1.  C.   Dousman,  and  O.  B.  Green.     The  clergyman  led 
the  process.on  down  the  centre  aisle,  reciting  in  solemn  tones  the 
buna    service  of  the  Reformed  Episcopal  Church,  beginnino-  "I 
am   the  resurrection,"  etc.,  *he  congregation  rising  to  their" feet 
ami  the  organ  sending  forth  Jow,  mournful  notes,  which  added  to 
the  solemnity  of  the  occasion. 

The  scene  was  one  which  must  have  made  a  strange  and  lasting 
impression  upon  those  who  were  present.  The  congregation  was  an 
assemblage  such  as  has  seldom  gatherecl  in  this  or  any  other  city 
it  was  a  sea  ot  white    heads,  representing  the  men  who  came  to 
Chicago  when  there  was  no  Chicago,  and  who  have  lived    to  see 
the  results  of  the  work  they  began.     Many  of  them  were  accompa- 
nied by  their  equally  venerable  wives.     Other  patriarchs  sat  alone, 
their  helpmeets   existing  in    memory  only.     With    bowed  heads 
tliey  sat,  their  faces  wearing  an    expression   indicating  that  they 
were  moved  by  deeper  emotions  tiian  those  occasioned  by  the  loss 
of  a  tnend  and  neighbor.     Every  mind  must  have  felt  an  awaken- 
ing of  memories  of  early  days,  and  of  events  which  constitute  the 
history  of  Chicago.     On  the  platform  l)ehind  the  pulpit,  sat  Rev. 
Dr.  R.  W.  Patterson, also  an  early  settler,  and  the  venerable  Rev. 
Dr.   Bascom,  a  Chicagoan  since  the  thirties,  who  performed  the 
marriage  ceremony  in  1843  which  united  the  deceased  and  the 
widow  who  survives  him. 

When  the  reading  of  the  service  was  concluded,  the  choir 
chanted  the  first  twelve  verses  of  the  Ninetieth  Psalm.  Rev.  Dr. 
Wilson  read  from  the  Scriptures,  after  which  Rev.  Dv.  Patterson 
oflfered  a  fervent  prayer.  The  choir  followed  by  singing  the  hymn 
"Rock  of  Ages."  Then  Dr.  Bascom  briefly  eulogized  the 
deceased.  He  gave  only  an  outline  of  his  adventurous  career, 
mentioning  merely  enough  to  quicken  the  memory  of  his  hearers 


180 


as  to  events  most  of  thoin  wore  familiar  with.     Ho  laid  strosg  upon 
the  skill  and  fidelity  of  Mr.  Hubbard,  which  euiinently  (ittod  him 
for  the  foundation  of  those  business  entiirprisos  which  have  been 
the  secret  of    the  wonderful  suscess  of   this  city  ;   his  unfailinjj^ 
integrity,   his  trustworthiness  and  reliability.       Dr.   Bascom  said 
that  ia  all  his  years  of  residence  in  (Jhicago  he  had  ni'vc^r  heard 
one  word  impeaching  Mr.  Hubbard's  honesty.     He  also  eulogized 
him  for  his  sense  of  justice  and  generosity,  and    his   zeal    as  a 
churchman,  having  identified  himself  with  the  Reformed  Episcopal 
Church  at  its  formation,  and  remained   a  member  until  the  time 
of  his  death.     The  speaker  also  gave  an  account  of  Ihe  last  days 
and  death  of  the  deceased,  remarking  that  those  who  mourned  his 
death  could  look  back  with  unspeakable  satisfaction  upon  the  fact 
that  the  manner  of   his  death  was    peaceful.     H(!  was  perfectly 
resigned,  for  months  calmly  awaiting  the  summons.     During  this 
period  he  was  sustained  by  Christian  hope,  and  enjoyed  the  rest 
and  peace  that  he  found  at  last,  after  an  honorable  and  useful  life. 
Mr.  Bascom  concluded  by  referring  briefly  to  the   lesson  to  be 
drawn  from  the  demise  of  Mr.  Hubbard,  especially  by  most  of 
those  who  heard  him,  whose  advanced  ages  lent  emphasis  to  it. 

The  closing  prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Arthur  liittle.  After 
the  benediction  had  been  pronounced,  the  lid  of  the  casket  was 
removed,  and  the  venerable  men  and  women  filed  slowly  by,  to 
view  for  the  last  time  the  features  of  the  deceased.  There  were 
very  few  who  did  not  avail  themselves  of  the  privilege.  The  face 
of  the  departed  wore  a  peaceful  and  almost  life-like  expression. 
Time  had  left  few  traces  of  its  ravages.  The  face  was  that  of  a 
much  younger  and  heartier  man  than  many  of  those  who  gazed  upon 
it.  In  a  few  minutes  the  lid  of  the  casket  was  again  fiiuilly  closed, 
and  the  funeral  procession  retraced  its  steps.  The  interment  was 
at  Graceland,  which  was  reached  by  carriages.  There  were  no 
services  at  the  cemetery  other  than  the  offering  of  a  prayer  by 
Rev.  Arthur  Little  as  the  remains  were  consigned  to  the  earth. 


